Metanoia, similar to metamorphosis, has to do with change but they are also noticeably different.
Todays post is by a friend of mine who heads belonging.house. I have been thinking on this subject for a long time, then Christ John Otto (pronounced like wrist) posted this and I thought: why reinvent the wheel? Used by permission
| God wants to do a new thing. God is releasing a new sound, and bringing a reformation. And reformation, at the core, is a creative thing. It’s a shift from our human self-effort to connecting with God’s indwelling Presence. It’s a shift from death into life. Reformation happens when we reconnect with a truth that has always been there, but through time has been lost. One of these lost truths is a Greek word: METANOIA. Metanoia occurs over 70 times in the original language of the New Testament, Greek. “Meta” means to be transformed, change, and move beyond. You can hear it in the word “metamorphosis.” Metamorphosis is the process of changing shape from a caterpillar to a butterfly. “Noia” means the mind and thoughts–as in the word “paranoia.” Metanoia is a fundamental change in your thinking that leads to a change in your life. It’s a conversion. In English metanoia is usually translated “repentance.” And when we think of repentance, we think of introspection, sin, guilt, restitution, and remorse. And for many, it means try harder. This isn’t what the New Testament says. The really big changes won’t happen when you try harder. Metanoia is about aligning your inner life with God’s kingdom, his plan, and his destiny. And at the core, it’s about an inside-out change. The best definition of metanoia is “be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Paul said that in Romans 12:1. Listen to some of these familiar texts with my translation: God’s kindness leads to a fundamental change in your thinking that will change your life! (Romans 2:4) Transform your thinking so it changes your life, because the Kingdom of heaven is near. (Matthew 3:2) Fundamentally change your thinking and turn to God, that your sins may be wiped out and times of refreshing may come from the Lord. (Acts 3:19-20) The new thing is about an inside out change. Metanoia means getting in line with what God says about you: image of God dwelling of God chosen by God called from eternity temple of the Holy Spirit branch of Christ wellspring of Living Water heir of the kingdom the glory of God Metanoia is about coming into agreement with your value, and your identity. It’s not about your sin, or making amends. Although, when you get your identity in line with what God says about you, the sin issues will become clear, and things will have to change. Metanoia is a new way forward. It’s how you produce the new sound. It’s why we need to choose to be positive. Out of a transformed inner life, a whole new creative stream will flow. Be transformed by the renewing of your mind. He Never Fails, Christ Via Andrea |
