Completely Turn From Sin

Frank Viola

“Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, and that he may send the Christ, who has been appointed for you — even Jesus.” — Acts 3:19–20

Frank Viola writes: “If you could reduce the gospel to one word, most scholars would choose metanoia — the Greek word translated “repentance” in the New Testament… Most of the time we translate both “meta-noeo” and “meta-noia,” or literally “change of [meta] mind [noia],” as “repentance.” Some have called the translation of metanoia as “repentance” the “worst mistranslation in the New Testament.”

Some have translated it as a “turnaround,” a 180-degree change of direction. That is almost as bad, as if Jesus only takes us on a detour. The Aramaic of metanoia really means a “returning home.” When Jesus restores the original image of God in us, when we become new creatures in Christ, when “old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new” (2 Cor. 5:17 NKJV), we are learning how to be the original humans God made us to be. We are returning home.”

When the Lord gets a hold of our life, we should have a new focus. Today in prayer, repent from any and every sin in your life and follow Jesus.

“That promise applies to you today…repent of your sins and they will be blotted out!” — Jerry Shirley

God’s Word: “And he said: ‘I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.’” — Matthew 18:3

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2026, Devotional E-Mail

DEVOTIONS IN ACTS †