THE MISSING WORD

Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost – Acts 2:38

“The massive buildup of worldwide communications is one of the characteristics of this present age. Helped by man’s amazing technological inventions, the world now experiences a daily outpouring of words over the air and on the printed page, like a river in full flood. The development of the computer has brought in a new dimension to the world of words. Here they can be stored and stacked away like so many hidden, waiting enemies…

In all this onrush of words from the Christian presses I have seen a strange phenomenon: the unusual emphasis of certain words, plus the obvious exclusion of others. For example, the word love has been taken and tossed around until it is worn to shreds. It has been used, abused, confused until now it has been drained of its true depth of meaning.

On the other hand…there is one significant word which is missing from the vocabulary of many preachers and writers. It is a word that was of supreme importance in the Gospels and in the early church. Somehow it has slipped into the background today. Because this word and its personal involvement is missing, a whole section of truth is missing. This truth is foundational. If it is missing in the basic buildup of a Christian’s faith, then whatever he erects on that limited foundation will be insecure…

The missing word is the good old-fashioned word repent. This word came to past generations with all the authority of God. Men heeded it, and lives were challenged and changed. Not so today.

…In spite of all the new programs, the new techniques, the new approaches to the needs of the people, this word repent is conspicuous by its absence…One of the major reasons for Christian sterility is the ignorance and non-involvement with this foundational truth summed up in the word repentance…

In the act of repentance a person hears certain facts. As he faces up to them he rethinks his whole attitude to life. His thoughts lead him to a complete change of mind. He now receives a new purpose in life. His will is also brought into line with his new purpose. As a result there emerges a complete change in thought, word, and deed”