Begin with Repentance
Theme of the week: How to Be a Real Disciple
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
 1 of 1
Key Bible Verse: From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." (Matthew 4:17, ESV) Dig Deeper: Ephesians 2:1-10
To understand how to become a disciple of Jesus Christ, it makes most sense to start where Jesus started. While it is true he said to the disciples, "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men" (Matt. 4:19, ESV), the Bible records one message he proclaimed before that. In [today's Key Bible Verse], Jesus said, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."
The word repent means "to turn." It has the idea of changing directions and heading the opposite way. In [Matt. 4:17], Jesus was telling people to prepare themselves—to change whatever needed to be changed—because God's kingdom (the kingdom of heaven) was approaching.
So how do we prepare to face this heavenly kingdom? Jesus said we need to repent. Our repentance [includes turning] from believing that there's anything we can do to save ourselves—for everything was accomplished by Jesus Christ.
Read [today's Dig Deeper] carefully and take some time to consider the truths it presents. Do you trust in the death of Christ for your salvation? Do you ever struggle with believing you need to do something to be saved?
—Francis Chan in Multiply: Disciples Making Disciples
My Response: What sins did I repent of when I decided to follow Jesus? What sins might I need to repent of right now so that I can be forgiven and cleansed of my sins (1 John 1:9)?
Thought to Apply: One of the fundamental marks of true repentance is a disposition to see our sins as God sees them.—Charles Simeon (British evangelical clergyman)
Adapted from Multiply: Disciples Making Disciples (David C. Cook, 2012) by permission. All rights reserved by the copyright holder and/or the publisher. May not be reproduced.
Copyright © 2013 by Christianity Today/Men of Integrity magazine. Click here for reprint information on Men of Integrity. 1 of 1
 share this page
Heavenly Father, I confess that I haven't always followed you as closely as I should; please soften those hard places in my heart; help me to walk in joyful obedience so that I will not only call Jesus my Savior but also my Lord.
Men of Integrity
Connect with God | Transform my Mind | Live by His Power
Relate Better | Make an Impact
Home | Archives | Contact Us
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
Try an Issue of Men of Integrity
Free!
|
 |
|
No credit card required. Please allow 4-6 weeks for delivery. Offer valid in U.S. only. Click here for Canadian Orders.
If you decide you want to keep Men of Integrity coming, honor your invoice for just $19.95 and receive five more issues, a full year in all. If not, simply write "cancel" across the invoice and return it. The trial issue is yours to keep, regardless.
Give Men of Integrity as a gift
Buy 1 gift subscription, get 1 FREE!
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
| 
RSS Feed
