The Most Important Word in the English Language

“Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the Kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news’.” ~Mark 1:14-15 (NRSV).

Have you ever thought about language and its power to attempt description of life? What about words? Do they captivate you? They do me. God led me on a quest recently to discover, afresh perhaps, the most important word. It’s surprisingly simple in its integrity.

The word is “repent.”

The Amplified version of the Bible defines the word:

Have a change of mind which issues in regret for past sins and in change of conduct for the better.

Some might think “repent” lacks something for true belief in Jesus’ name; I think “repent” implies belief.

Let’s imagine ourselves: “repent” at the forefront of our daily existence. The mind blossoms with thought of closeness to God; the heart with joy of continuity in the Almighty as we’re taught step by step in obedience and disobedience.

This word has urgent daily relevance; our interaction with it (or not) will echo into eternity.

© 2011 S. J. Wickham.