“Now in those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 3:1).
The kingdom of heaven is at hand. The times have not changed. To repent is to turn. To turn to the Lord is to turn away from the rebellion of this age. One cannot both live in rebellion and live in the Lord. It is one or the other. Too many seem to think they can be a Saturday night hedonist and a Sunday morning Christian. This is not so. We have been called to be conformed to the image of Christ every day of the week.
Lord, I know this is not specifically about behavior. Some of the worst are the self-righteous who would never be found in certain places. Some of the most faithful are the hurt who can’t be found in those places avoided. It is about turning to You, the One true God and learning to follow where You lead. It is about who we are from the inside out. Let the fullness of Your word open my heart to the obedience of faith.
Lord Jesus, I need what You have accomplished to be true in my life. I do not need to look at my neighbor. I need to learn how to repent. Through the Holy Spirit, teach me to be quick to repent, slow to sin, and always willing to love my neighbor as myself. Lead me to always follow Your example and continue to walk the narrow path that You have set before me. In You I have hope and a future. Lead me in that hope and into the future You have planned. Amen.
