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“Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent and believe in the gospel.” 1 Mark 14-15

Repent. For many of us, this word harkens back to preachers long gone and old-time tent revivals. The Reverend Billy Graham (not gone for too long) made the exhortation from 1 Mark his constant battle cry, “Repent and believe!”

But the call to repentance is never out of date. According to Strong’s, the Greek word used in this verse is “metanoeo”—and it’s used 34 times in the New Testament. Its definition is to think differently, to reconsider, to change one’s mind for the better.

I love this, don’t you? Because, friends, it’s our thoughts that start us down the wrong roads. Our mind wanders to some sinful thought…like birds flitting around our head, these thoughts swoop in and out. But when we let them land, those unholy thoughts, they dig in. Our thinking then pushes our emotions in the wrong direction. And once our heart is on board, our actions soon follow.

As a simple (and safe) example, I’ll use a current reality in my own life. My family has a LOT going on right now, and much up in the air. Since so much of it is out of my control, it’s easy for me to start thinking worrisome thoughts: What if…? What happens if…? Why isn’t this (or that) happening? This thinking, when I dwell on it, infiltrates my emotions (and my physical body, actually). I start feeling anxious and upset. And, the next thing you know, I’m snapping at my husband and behaving rudely to innocent bystanders.  

But when those birds of nagging thoughts start hovering, we must swat them away! We have to “think again”—focusing instead on what is true, noble, right, excellent, and praiseworthy (Philippians 4:8). If we don’t let those birds land, they can’t build a nest, now can they?

For much of our culture today, however, the concept of repenting is scoffed at. Why wouldn’t it be, because everyone’s “truth” is valid, so there’s no need to change one’s mind—or actions. Instead of conforming to the world’s ways, however, we are called to be transformed by the renewing of our mind (Romans 12:2).

And what transforms our mind—our thinking? The gospel! When we surrender to Jesus, accepting what He did on the cross for us, we become a new creation, our old ways are gone (2 Corinthians 5:17). Don’t misunderstand, we still struggle with sin (thoughts and actions), it’s just that we no longer want to pursue it. Before salvation, we welcome those thought-birds. Birdhouse-making may even be a favorite hobby. But once the grace and love of God has transformed us, we think differently.

If you know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, grab your bird swatter and join me in repentance. If you have yet to accept the free gift of eternal life with God, please, repent and believe.

“Lord, thank You that I no longer desire my old, sinful ways—that I am a new creation in Christ.”

For His Glory

Julianne Winkler Smith

TRBC Women’s Life