Clarification On Basics #1: Repentance From Dead Works

   Last blog, we looked at some definitions of repentance. One of which was a Hebrew word (Old Testament), SHUWB (Strong’s 7725), pronounced, shoob, which is a primary verb that means to turn back; hence, to turn away. It has other connotations outside the realm of repentance, but those won’t be addressed here. There is an important clarification that must be made concerning this word. One we don’t want to miss.

   Previously, I mentioned the emphasis placed on the word in relation to national repentance. While it does often emphasize repentance on a national level, it in no way removes the individual application. In fact, it may actually reveal greater individual responsibility. Question: what is a nation? It’s a community of people, based on various commonalties. A nation cannot repent apart from its people. One example of this can be found in Ezekiel 33:1-20. Sounds obvious, but let’s drill down a bit more.

   Basically speaking, a nation repents one person at a time. Sure, it would be preferable for it to happen by the masses, and we’ve seen examples of it in Scripture.  However, when it gets down to it, if you want to see God bless your country in which you live, it starts with you (and me) -the individual.

    If a person doesn’t want to change, he or she cannot expect the rest of the nation to change. Secondly, if someone hears the call to repentance and does not heed the call, he will be held accountable as an individual (again, see Ezekiel 33:1-20).

   Influence requires an example. As disciples of Jesus Christ, we cannot just talk about it, we have to walk it out before others. Not in a hypocritical, look at me kind of way, but with humility and boldness. Again, if we want to live in a godly nation, then we have to live in a way that pleases God.

More On Basic # 1 Repentance

   Yes, there is a lot of emphasis on repentance in this blog, but there is a reason behind it. One is a sense from Holy Spirit that it needs to be emphasized, and by the time we get to the resurrection from the dead and eternal judgment, you’ll see why.

   The first place we find repent in the Bible, actually speaks in relation to God (Genesis 6:6-7). However, it is the not same Hebrew word that we just covered. As we define this particular one, it will also help clarify what it means when the Bible talks of God repenting. Of course, He has never needed to repent of anything.

   NÂCHAM (Strong’s 5162), pronounced, naw-kham’: A primitive root; properly to sigh, that is, breathe strongly; by implication to be sorry. In one sense, it means to lament, or grieve. In part, it can mean to grieve on account of any one, hence, to pity. Along with that, one may lament or grieve over his own actions, thus, to repent. It also means to comfort one’s self, or be comforted. One final meaning is to take vengeance.

   Genesis 6:6-7 And it repented the LORD (or, the Lord was sorry) that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved Him at his heart. And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth Me (for I am sorry) that I have made them.

   As we see in context, we find grief attached to the meaning of the word. Going further, in relation to God repenting or changing His mind, it was generally contingent on man’s response or lack thereof. In many cases, it would be the result of repentance and/or someone making intercession. One example would be Moses and the children of Israel (Exodus alone gives a number of accounts).

   Jeremiah 18:8-10 If that nation, against whom I have pronounced, turn from their evil, I will repent of the evil that I thought to do unto them. And at what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to build and to plant it; If it do evil in my sight, that it obey not my voice, then I will repent of the good, wherewith I said I would benefit them.

    There are some things to take to heart here. Obviously, repentance matters to God, but so do our prayers! Never stop praying and interceding on the behalf of others. Needless to say, that applies to the nation, state or city in which you live.

   James 5:16-18 The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much. Elijah was a man with a nature like ours (or “had like passions”), and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the earth for three years and six months. Then he prayed again, and the sky poured rain and the earth produced its fruit.

Question on the Basics : Did Judas Repent?

   Matthew 7:3-5 Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that He was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent Blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that. And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself.

   When reading Judas, repented himself, one might wonder if he actually repented in the true sense of turning from evil to good. This word, repented, is not the same Greek word we defined in the previous blog.

   METAMELLOMAI (Strong’s 3338), pronounced, met-am-el’-lom-ahee: to care afterwards, that is, regret: – repent (self). It means to have dissatisfaction with one’s self for what one has done, to change or alter one’s purpose, have anxiety consequent on a past transaction; to have pain of mind, rather than change of mind; and a change of purpose, rather than a change of heart.

   The bottom line is this word merely means regret. It can carry the meaning of changing one’s mind or purpose after having done something regrettable. Unlike the previous word, METANOEŌ (Strong’s 3340), it expresses a mere desire that what was done may be undone, accompanied by regret or even remorse, but with no effective change of heart.

   In essence, it means little or nothing more than a selfish dread of the consequences of what one had done. METANOEŌ (Strong’s 3340), on the other hand, means regret and forsaking the evil by a change of heart brought about by Holy Spirit.

   Here’s a different rendering of this passage: Then when Judas, who had betrayed Him, saw that He had been condemned, he felt remorse, . . . (NASB).

   A couple quick thoughts. If Judas did repent, why didn’t he go to Jesus and ask Him for forgiveness. Since, he went to the priest, why didn’t he plead Jesus’ case, and try to intercede on His behalf? Only godly sorrow leads to true repentance.

   Matthew 26:24 The Son of Man is to go, just as it is written of Him; but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been good for that man if he had not been born.

   Consider this: John the Baptist and Jesus never used this word when they called people to repent; they used METANOEŌ (Strong’s 3340).

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