Today's Journal
REPENTANCE
When Jesus started his ministry to others after his temptations in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11), he started by saying this: “Repent, because the kingdom of heaven has come near.” Or, as some versions have it, ‘Kingdom is at hand’ or ‘It is right here where you are.’The first instruction is to repent. It’s a word that gets a negative tag attached to it historically. This should not be. Repentance simply means ‘change of mind’ or ‘turn around and go the other way.’ Without the change and turn it is not possible to leave the old life and receive the new life. It means we leave the old way, the old self behind and accept and turn to the Kingdom way… the way of God.
My experience is that we are often taught that in the beginning, and only in the beginning, is repentance necessary. It’s like it is part of a three-part formula in becoming ‘a Christian’ and then everything’s OK and we are in. This might be true but only as a beginning. As we progress as Christ’s disciples and “grow in grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18) we will surely come to many trials, mistakes and tests that require repentance. Experience soon teaches us that repentance is the greater part of our maturity.
“Repent, because the kingdom of heaven has come near.” Jesus