“…Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent [change your inner self—your old way of thinking, regret past sins, live your life in a way that proves repentance; seek God’s purpose for your life], for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matthew 4: 17, Amplified Bible)

Jesus is calling us forth into our joy. He was beckoning his immediate disciples and those of today to give up the old, labored, dark way of thinking and living, and to live God’s own purpose. Repentance doesn’t mean a life of self-condemnation or regrets or feelings of inadequacy. It means we live true to God and to ourselves.

Let’s gladly repent and remember who is at the heart of this activity. It is not human analysis. It is not enumerating the litany of things we feel we have done wrong or the virtues that we feel we are lacking. It is God’s Love that changes us. Repentance is releasing ourselves to what has always been true about us, what God caused and loves, and refusing to continue to believe the accusing lies that would hide our goodness and worthiness.

God’s kingdom of heaven is within. It is the very soul of you—that innocent child that is freshly receptive and ready to learn, to grow, to receive and to live the good that he has been given. Our repentance is not judgment or condemnation. It is a change of thought from the limited and limiting, to the infinite possibilities that are always at hand for the glorious expression of Love that you truly are.

These messages are based on passages from the Bible and Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, by Mary Baker Eddy. These books are our “pastor” in Christian Science. Come back every Tuesday and Thursday for fresh inspiration. Or get a free subscription to receive an inspirational message like this one every morning directly to your inbox by contacting me at lamolitercs@aol.com. Put “subscribe” in the subject line. A downloadable compilation of categorized messages is also available by request.