“Turn from your sins and turn to God, because the Kingdom of Heaven is near . . . Prove by the way you live that you have really turned from your sins and turned to God.”
— Matthew 3:2, 8 (NLT)
In the verse above, John the Baptist was preaching about repentance. Repenting is not only changing your mind — it’s a total turnaround of your life. It involves turning from sin and turning to God.
You may find a younger brother or sister very annoying. He hogs the TV after school. She wolfs down all the good snacks and then eavesdrops on your phone calls. Usually, before the night is over, you’ve swatted a sibling at least once. Your brother or sister runs screaming to your mom, who in turn scolds you. “I’m sorry,” you always mumble. Sometimes you truly are sorry. One night, though, your mom says, “I don’t want another apology, honey. If you’re sorry, then show it. Stop hitting.”
You need to do more than say you’re sorry. If you really regret your behavior, you’ll change. However, repentance doesn’t start with altering one’s behavior. For change to last, it must begin with a change of heart. And what is the reaction in heaven when a sinner repents? “I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance” (Luke 15:7 NKJV).
More to Explore: Ezekiel 18:30 – 32; 33:1
Girl Talk: Do you apologize just so someone will stop being mad at you? Or do you truly intend to change your behavior?
God Talk: “God, I can’t change myself. I’ve already tried! Please change me from the inside out. Amen.”
From Chick Chat by Kristi Holl