Today we begin the commemoration of the forty days which Jesus spent in the wilderness. For some, it is called – Lent.
During these next forty days, we think about our own shortcomings, also known as sin, and repent. We think about the ways in which our lives need to change.
“Now after John had been taken into custody, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” (Mark 1:14-15, NASB)
Here we find Jesus both announcing His Kingdom, and preaching the Gospel. Looking closely at the above verses, we discover hearing the Gospel will demand a response.
Reading those same Scriptures in the AMPC sheds more depth of meaning:
“Now after John was arrested and put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the good news (the Gospel) of the kingdom of God, And saying, The [appointed period of] time is fulfilled (completed), and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent (have a change of mind which issues in regret for past sins and in change of conduct for the better) and believe (trust in, rely on, and adhere to) the good news (the Gospel).”
I sat looking at those words for some time and then it came to me. Reading in reverse so to speak —> When I truly believe in, trust in, rely on, and adhere to the Good News then my life will reflect a change of conduct for the better.
It is by the path of repentance and forgiveness that we are completely and forever accepted by God.
“Seek the Lord while He may be found; Call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way And the unrighteous man his thoughts; And let him return to the Lord, And He will have compassion on him, And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon.” (Isaiah 55:6-7, NASB)
Isaiah reminds us of four actions we are to take: “seek the Lord”; “call upon Him”; “forsake our ways”; and “return to the Lord.”
“Return to the Lord” would infer this is written to those who knew the Lord but had gone astray. Repent and return.
These forty days long to take us on a journey if you will, of reflection and introspection. We take the time to examine our lives, letting the Lord search out our hearts, to see where we have compromised. Not by our standards but of His. We look to see where the ideas and opinions of the world have taken up residency causing us to forsake His ways.
May we have a change of mind,
a change in conduct,
as we return to the good news of the Gospel.
Come, sit a spell. Bring your coffee, your posts, and your thoughts. If you link up, kindly visit those who have drawn up a seat around you.
