Why the Kingdom of God does requires us our conversion or metanoia?
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I was searching the internet one day, researching the topic of repentance and found the following precious article by Eli Brayley—a writer, pastor, and evangelist from New Brunswick, Canada. There is not a more important subject in the churches than what it means to “repent.” Most churchgoers don't know that the English word for “repentance” means something completely different than the Greek word metanoia.
Whereas the Greek word metanoia means “to change one's mind” (in a broad sense), the English word for repent specifically means to sorrow, grieve and turn away from sins. These are two drastically different meanings, which as you can see, convey two completely different plans of salvation. Thus, you can see the woeful danger of using an English dictionary to define what it means to “repent.” Metanoeo (to think differently) is simply the verb form of the noun metanoia (a change of mind). Hence, Mark 1:15 literally reads, “Think differently and BELIEVE the Good News.” The object of changing one's mind is unto the Gospel itself. The Bible does not teach turning away from sinful behavior to be saved; but rather, turning to God by faith in the Gospel to be saved.
Obviously, in order to turn to God, you must of necessity turn from something. However, God does not require us to turn from anything to be saved. To do so is a flawed view of repentance. The idea that a person must forsake sinful activities to be saved is a false Gospel. We are not saved by repenting, we are saved by placing our trust in Jesus Christ!