The Turning

 He told them, "This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. Luke 24:46-47 (NIV)

What exactly is repentance? Does it mean saying I'm sorry for something you did that you shouldn't have done or for a mistake that was made? Does it mean performing certain rituals to make up for the wrong? Actually, it goes a much deeper than that. It's more like remorse or sorrow for a past sin or wrongdoing. It leads to a turning from sin to righteousness, which is acting in a moral and virtuous way. In other words, a change takes place; a decision is made to act in a better way. A desire rises up from within to lead a life that is honorable, respectable and trustworthy.

When Jesus our Savior, died and then rose from the grave, he enabled not only the forgivness of sin, but freedom from the hold that sin can have on a person's life. The law was like a mirror that showed us our weaknesses. This same law was completely fulfilled by Jesus. The punishment for those that broke it, all of us, was eventually placed on the person of Jesus as He gave His life for each one of us. The hold of death, which was the punishment for our sins, was broken. But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you. Romans 8:10-12 (NIV)

When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: "Death has been swallowed up in victory." 1 Corinthians 15:54 (NIV)

Jesus, the Christ, brought us freedom. We have received freedom from living lifestyles of sin that just bring pain, heartache and suffering, and freedom to live lifestyles of right choices and right decisions leading to a better more excellent way of living. This freedom was given to us freely by the blood of Jesus and by the grace and mercy of God.

When repentance leads to accepting the gift of Jesus, which is forgiveness of our sins, to the desire to change our way of life, the Holy Spirit comes to abide within us to help guide and direct, and strengthen us along the way.

The exciting outcome is: A turning from our way to God's better way. A turning from wrong thoughts to right thoughts. A turning from wrong living to right living. A turning from weakness to strength. A turning from sickness to health. A turning from sadness to joy.

Let God's freedom ring around the world!