We too often misinterpret the word repent to mean saying, “I’m sorry” to God after transgressing. And, to a point, that is true. If we are going to change our mind it must be from something old, or past. But it must also be toward something new. If merely coming from something past was what it was all about, the meaning would be more likened to confession.
Repenting also means to change our minds or our course: to turn around to something new. In that, repentance is both proactive and not reactive. In those nine words that changed everything God was not only telling us to forget the past, more importantly He was telling us to embrace a new future!
When we say we repent, we are taking a proactive position of allowing the Spirit to change our minds from something old to something new. John the Baptist’s clarion call was to take a proactive approach, determining to change our minds and turn from the kingdom of man to His kingdom on earth.
He’s urging us to stop letting life here determine our destiny, but rather to understand His destiny for us and let that determine life here. But it’s a choice and a determination we must make if we want the journey to even leave the starting gate, and that’s why repent is the first word of the nine.
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