One of the messages that Jesus and the early disciples preached beginning with the ministry of John the Baptist was “Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (See Matt.3:2; 4:17; 10:7 & others.) Further study suggests that this word “repent” means to change the way you think! It’s not just a turning from sinful behaviors in our lives, although it includes that. A much stronger case here implies a radical shift in our thought processes about how we see ourselves, God, others and the world around us. Why? Because the kingdom of heaven has come – it is here, accessible within our reach!

The long awaited kingdom of God’s rule is now something that we have access to and are a part of. That in itself should cause us to think differently about everything we say and do!

~ Dan Ecker