Beautiful Word Devotional #43

From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”

Matthew 4:17

To repent is to change the direction you’re headed. It’s to stop walking on the road you’re traveling and instead go another way. It’s to acknowledge that your way of living isn’t working and choosing a better option. In the context of the kingdom of God, repenting means acknowledging your sin before a holy God, asking for forgiveness, and—relying on his strength—no longer being involved in that behavior.

But repenting doesn’t happen once and for all. Genuine repentance means continuing to walk according to God’s ways. It’s to live according to his two most important commands: love God with all you are and love your neighbor as yourself. Instead of walking the popular route of the world, we follow in the footsteps of Jesus, asking his Spirit to help us to live like Jesus.

Are you living a lifestyle of repentance, of turning from your sinful desires and living to please and glorify God?

Lord, by your Spirit, may my thoughts, attitudes, and actions please you, amen.