The season of Lent often moves the spirit to a posture of “Repentance”. During this season we will once again be reflecting upon the events leading to the end of Jesus’ (of Nazareth) earthly life. Jesus’ eventual death and resurrection bring along God’s promise of salvation. While this is an awesome gift offered by the Lord, I am confronted with my own unworthiness.
In order to “get right” with the Lord, we as believers must repent of our sin and seek to live in a right relationship with the Him. I have often defined repentance as a 180 degree turn, acknowledging I have been headed in the wrong direction of serving self and needing to refocus my life on God’s will. I have often taught that this “turn” involves 3 steps: Confessing Sin, Accepting Forgiveness and Changing Behavior.
As I began preaching from the God’s Word Bible translation this year I quickly came upon a new definition which I have found very helpful. In several passages where I would expect to find the word “repent” I have instead found [they] “turned to God and changed the way they think and act”. I love that this definition includes both the “turn” and the “change”.
May we all take time during the season of Lent to reconsider our thoughts and actions. As we prepare for the Easter miracle may we turn our whole selves over to doing the Lord’s will.
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