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Post by Pastor Michelle on Aug 26, 2012 21:35:32 GMT -5
The word ‘repent’ is often misunderstood. The Greek and Hebrew words that we translate as repent literally mean ‘to change direction’ or ‘to turn around.’ How might changing direction and receiving God’s Kingdom go hand in hand for us?
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Post by nitrorichfire on Aug 26, 2012 21:42:44 GMT -5
Pastor Michelle, repenting for our sins, brings us close to achieving the most important gift in the entire universe that GOD offers us if we so choose "Eternal Life" By following GOD's law we can achieve this, if we want to.
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Post by Pastor Michelle on Aug 28, 2012 13:52:13 GMT -5
Wesley believed that we repent and turn toward God many times in our life. Every time we get far from God we turn back. Each time, we try to come closer to a perfect relationship with God. He called it: going on to perfection. I love this because it means that we always have a chance to get back on the journey and experience the Kingdom of God here on earth. For me, its about the Kingdom here and now and 'eternal life' is more than just what happens to me after I die. It's the state I am always striving for as I go on to perfection. So, I keep turning back toward God.
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Post by csobell on Aug 28, 2012 15:56:16 GMT -5
I've read a couple sources that define "repent" as "changing ones mind" not necessarily changing ones behaviour. I find a lot of comfort in that it implies that to repent is just to acknowledge that He's God and I'm not - that even though I may not understand or agree with His Way - I'm going to try and obey it please him rather than "serve myself" - that there isn't a measure on my progress to sin less, but on my desire to grow closer to Him. It's tempting to look at the pain people are enduring and assume it's their just rewards but a lot of people better than me are going through much worse things than me. As an old guy I find that, if I spend more time seeking Him and seeking a relationship with Him, I've got less time to get into trouble; and over time I realize that He's provided the strength and taken away the temptation - wish I could take credit for it, but I know it's Him.
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Post by Pastor Michelle on Aug 29, 2012 18:07:50 GMT -5
Chris, I like your idea that the more time we spend focused on him, the less time we have for 'getting into trouble' thats a nice way to think about it.
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