Repent!

"From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, 'Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand'" (Matthew 4:17).

Repent! It's the MIA word in the Christian vocabulary.

Bring to mind the words most commonly associated with Christianity: grace, mercy, forgiveness, kindness, peace, etc. Yes, they are all important aspects of the Christian faith.

But the one word that seems to have been forgotten among Christians is repent. It means change. Turn around. Go in a different direction. Or simply, "Stop it!"

To receive Jesus's grace, mercy and forgiveness, repentance must first occur. Life changes. A new direction in how you choose to live.

Otherwise, you've not truly understood what it means to come to faith in Jesus.

Jesus's first word in preaching was repent (Matthew 4:17). We should never forget this extremely important word in our Christian vocabulary.

And actually leave our old, destructive life behind.