METANOIA

Metanoia is the greek word for a change in heart, a call to repentance, the act of turning toward the light. Metanoia specifically refers to a change in opinion or behavior. It entails the distaste of the error & wickedness of your own ways & the dedication to pursue righteousness. When truth (aletheia) is brought into the light, reality is revealed, & the process of metanoia begins. When aletheia is hidden (suppressed by the powers & principalities of this world), metanoia never comes to pass because people are prevented from feeling convicted by their evil works & deeds.

Metanoia is actively displayed throughout the gospels when Jesus calls His disciples to Himself. Matthew 16:24 says, "Then Jesus said to His disciples, 'If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.'" The disciples had their own lives, their own ways, schedules, & duties. Can you imagine what it would be like if Jesus came today & asked us to leave our work, friends, family, & lives behind to follow Him? Well, we can because He invites us every day. The difference is it looks different to us, right? We don't have to physically leave our homes to follow the Son of Man on His travels around Israel. Still, we are required to deny ourselves (to turn against ourselves & our sinful desires) to follow Him.

The process of metanoia is not a one-time event; it's the continual recognition of sin, provocation of humility, & longing for the merciful gift of new life. That's why true Christians take up their cross every day to follow Jesus. They constantly practice the act of shedding their old self & their ways because they realize that following the light is true life.

The repeated process of metanoia that is demanded of a true Christian is better known as sanctification. Sanctification is the act of being purified. It's conformity of the heart & life to the will of the Lord. Matthew 15:8 says, "These people draw near to Me with their mouth, and honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me."

Ultimately, it’s a heart problem. So, where is your heart?