As we near the first National Repentance Day, let's take some time to reflect on its significance. During the reign of the last government our then Acting Prime Minister and the National Executive Council became convinced that such a commemoration was pivotal to national change (and I could not agree more). And so, Friday August 26 will be National Repentance Day for Papua New Guinea.
My humble question: Do Papua New Guineans understand the meaning of Repentance? And therefore do we understand the significance of this day?
What is REPENTANCE? It is quite a religious word these days. Perhaps its earliest usage in the English language was when it appeared in the King James Bible exactly 400 years ago. It is an expression especially familiar with the Christian faith. "Repent! For the Kingdom of God is at hand!" Christians proclaim to this lost world, echoing the Lord Jesus and his announcer John the Baptist. I'm not sure if we really know what we are saying. Non-Christians or the irreligious would probably balk at this concept; concluding confidently that it does not apply to them. Christians would embrace it ecstatically; believing its high time the rest of the nation REPENTS or at least appreciates its eternal importance.
In chasing the definition of REPENTANCE the most obvious meaning jumps out: CHANGE OF MIND. The English word REPENTANCE, as used in the Bible, comes from the Greek word matenoeo (metanoia—meta "after, with", noeo "after one's mind"), a compound word which simply means "a change of mind", it can also refer to "change of conduct" and "change of consciousness" (but strictly speaking it refers to change of mind). Change of mind means changing beliefs and perceptions on a certain subject matter. If not believing something in the past, repentance means now believing it. Hence in the Christian context repentance means believing in the Lord Jesus, having previously NOT believed. If I did not think a certain way before, I now think that way. And the change in the thinking is supposed to naturally show in the conduct.
In the Christian context repentance is associated with sin. True repentance is supposed to mean no longer allowing sin to reign in us. In the ordinary context repentance generally relates to the way we think. And on both notes I think PNG is well overdue for repentance. Never before has changing of the mind been so vital to national progress than it is today. We cannot continue in our way of thinking if we are to see real long-lasting change in our Nation. This is something that Patriots PNG has been campaigning for (changing of mindset) since its inception and which the Church has been pushing for since coming to PNG (repentance from sin and faith in God).
I do not know exactly what stifles our progress as a nation. But I have a clue that it has a lot to do with our mindsets: individually and collectively. WE NEED TO CHANGE OUR MIND. Then and only then will we see changes in our lives and in our country. Repentance usually means change "for the better". If we do not show signs of becoming better people, better citizens, better Christians, better leaders etc. after 26/08; then we would have missed the mark in commemorating a day for REPENTANCE.
One thing for sure in the religious and irreligious context: Repentance has to be preceded by an understanding of that which you must change your mind about. If I used to think that spitting beetle-nut all over the streets was ok (or if I DID NOT THINK IT IS WRONG), before changing my mind about it I would have to first be convinced in my mind that it is indeed wrong. Otherwise there would be no basis on which I would then "change my mind" and stop such a habit. So if there has to be any real repenting, there will have to be some real hard-hitting revelation (I tried to find a less-religious word but this is most appropriate) of the nature of our current way of thinking and conduct.
That part of the process (revealing our defective ways of thinking) has to be intensified in PNG. The people need to appreciate what needs to be repented of. We need to appreciate what's wrong with our current mindset, our current beliefs, our conduct, etc.
Every person who understands the wrongness of a belief or conduct must make it his duty to inform others so as to help them change their thinking and conduct. And the Church must not slack of in speaking out against sin and what is morally wrong. And every individual has a duty to reflect on his current beliefs and perceptions, attitudes and conduct. As a facebook user posted so profoundly "no person or country can change until they face the hard ugly truth about themselves".
For only then will you be compelled to repent.
REFLECTION PRECEDES REPENTANCE
God Bless PNG.
Heavenise Day!
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