Co What: Čiňte pokání

I was in a conversation over lunch the other week with some ladies from church (one of whom translates for my teammates and myself during service).

In the conversation, the topic of repentance came up. My translator said that the word/phrase the Czechs use for repentance is Čiňte pokání! This is the imperative form of this word in the Czech B21 translation of the Bible as used in verses such as Matthew 3:21 and Mark 1:15 and etymologically means 'to turn around and go the other way.' This is similar in concept to the English word repent which literally mean 'to think differently after.'

Learning a foreign language can be frustrating and embarrassing sometimes but it is also beautiful because it enables you to understand and 're-think' about things in a different way than you would be able to in just one language. There is a psychological term called cognitive dissonance which refers to the mental anguish caused when one's actions are mis-aligned with their beliefs. When that rift occurs, the person must do one of two things: Change their actions to match their beliefs or change their beliefs to match their actions, which also includes justifying their actions to align with their beliefs in someway. Combining the English translation of this word and the Czech translation of this word, I can get a fuller understanding of the original meaning Christ was referring to (since I do not know Aramaic). Repentance demands not only a mental change but also a physical change. When Jesus said, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!", that command demands mental and physical change on our part lest we fall into state of cognitive dissonance or compromise. I also believe this gives an interesting light on the meaning of Revelation 3:15-16 where God talks about people being neither hot nor cold but being lukewarm and how abhorrent that is to Him. It is not enough to just stop where we are. It requires decisive physical, mental, and spiritual action. It requires rethinking every aspect of our lives continually to retread our thought patterns in a way that is in line with scripture. I requires us to make physical changes in our lives. Not turn to the right or left but literally turn around every aspect of our lives to bring us in line with God's call for righteousness in His people. And this is not a one time event that happened at camp in Junior High but a daily requirement of being in relationship with a Holy and Just God.

So much for casual lunch conversation.