From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”
Matthew 4:17 (NIV)
Repent
The witness protection program, WITSEC, is part of a broader process that, as a rule, provides for the use of repentant witnesses in the fight against certain types of major crime, particularly organized crime and terrorism. Repentant witnesses are seen as a necessary tool for infiltrating criminal networks and their protection from their former relationships, an inevitable consequence of their participation in the administration of justice. They put themselves in danger by assisting the justice and legal community successfully prosecute lawbreakers.
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There is a story of a woman who noticed a friend in a restaurant and went over to his table to chat with him. When leaving, she flung her purse over her shoulder and hit him with the purse. Embarrassed, she said “I’m so sorry,” to which he replied “Don’t be sorry. Be different.” This is a great illustration of what it means to repent. Repentance is not just being sorry for sin, it is desiring to make a 180-degree turn in action, attitude or thinking. Jesus put it this way in Matthew 4:17: “From that time on Jesus began to preach, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.’” Christians are called to live lives that represent Jesus and His kingdom. Jesus showed His love to those who came seeking Him, but he never let them get away with remaining in their sin. He called people to repentance and once they were transformed by Him, He commanded them to go and sin no more. He makes the same demands on our lives today. Don’t allow sin a place in your life. Repent and turn to Jesus.
These have been words from the heart.
Bob Beasley