Repentance Redefined
We spent the majority of our discussion time last Friday talking about the word repentance and the mental containers we have filled with definition for this word. Almost everyone's definitions related the word to an individual turning away from sin or turning away from a lifestyle that is in opposition to God's lifestyle.Repentance, in the context of the usage of John the Baptist and of Jesus was always in the context of a national turning or a national realignment of priorities. In other words, it was a call to turning back in obedience to kingdom principles.
How does repentance as a process of realigning ones life to kingdom priorities differ from the traditional view of repentance as the prelude to a personal conversion experience? How might this fuller definition assist us in our spiritual conversations?
posted by CrossPointeDave @ 6:33 PM
3 Comments:
As the caveman said in the commercial. "Uhhhhh...WHAT?
Sorry David I am not clear on what you are asking. It really is to bad because I am in a great mood for sharing my opinion..again.
This quote was in my daily bible study today and I like it. "When there is wrong in our life it must be made right, a process that starts in the heart. " If it does not START in the heart it is not repentance
It was quite interesting to learn that the word and concept of repentance was not used by John the Baptist or Jesus to ask people as individuals to repent. And it does seem true that Jesus asked many people to do many different things as he called them to follow him. There was no one formulaic, step by step path to becoming his follower or beginning a relationship with him.
Some preachers may focus on personal repentance as a first, necessary step toward salvation, but I do not hear that thought spoken much by other Christians or even in the few minutes of televangalism I listen to each year.
But I can imagine that some folks who haven't darkened the doorstep of a church for many years may remember the gospel message as one of, "You are a sinner and must change your life (repent) for God to accept you". Hopefully we are living our lives in a way that says that God accepts us as we are, and we accept and love others in a non-judgemental manner, that gives them a glimpse of how God loves them.
As far as preaching that the nation must repent, I'll leave that to somebody else.
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