Jesus said, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news." (Mark 1:15 NRSV Bible)
I like the story about the battered old man who got up one night during a revival meeting and said: "Brothers and sisters, you know and I know that I ain't been what I ought to of been. I've stolen hogs and told lies, and got drunk, and was always getting in fights, and shooting craps, and playing poker, and I've cussed and swore; but I thank the Lord there's one thing I ain't never done: I ain't never lost my religion."

It is true that we won't lose our religion when we have done something wrong if we seek God's forgiveness. Forgiveness is important to restoring relationships. Frederick Buechner, a well known Christian writer, said, "To repent is to come to our senses. It is not so much something you do as something that happens. True repentance spends less time looking at the past and saying 'I'm sorry,' than to the future and saying 'Wow!"

We have all heard many criminals say they were sorry for the crime they committed, but many of them continue to be criminals. Did you know that by far most of the people in our jails today are repeat offenders. They may feel sorry for their sins and crimes, but no real change has taken place. You see, true repentance is a matter of changing directions.

The most important change of direction we can make is becoming a faithful disciple of God and Jesus Christ moment by moment and day by day.

Lord Jesus, may I follow you everyday so that my life will be the best possible example of faithfulness. Amen.

Ron Newhouse

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