Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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Lent: Time of Transformation.


Rev. Dr. Paul Rajan
Inter Christian Initiatives
Princeton, NJ

“Rid yourselves of all the offences you have committed, and get a new heart and new spirit”. 31


While it is a privilege for us to have another Lent in our lives, we are invited to “Give careful thought to your ways”. Haggai 1:5. The invitation is to “Repent and Live” as per our passage in Ezekiel 18:32. Lent is a time to

Reflect, Regret, Rid, Reborn and Relive

We read in the Scripture that Israelites often found fault with God for all their life situations. This passage talks of one such typical blame. They were also finding fault with God's chosen leaders who were Prophets, Kings and Priests. However, God did not give up on them but continued to work on their salvation. God was gentle in communicating the message of salvation. Is it not true with our own life situation as well? We do not hesitate to be angry at God or blame God for our failures, life downfall and difficulties. We murmur and say to the Lord, Lord! why did you bring me to this situation, why did you do this to me, why am I sick and why did this happen in my life. While blaming God, we do end up hating and finding fault with others around us. Finally, we lose their friendship sometime their relationship. I have heard the story of people who don’t even talk to their parents for years. But in this passage God is very gently inviting us to Reflect our ways, and once we find that we are wrong then to Regret for our stand. Then “Rid yourselves of all the offenses you have committed, and get a new heart and a new spirit” v 31. So, that, we are born again as a new creation to live a new life. God sent His son Jesus to give us life and life in fullness. “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full”. John 10:10. Whatever may be our life situation in this Lent, if we will take Gods invitation seriously, we will be able to live our life in fullness and fulfill the purpose of God.

PRAYER

Dear Lord, we blame You when we blame others. Please Lord! convict us in this Lent so that we can get rid of those offences against You and others and live a life in fullness centered on the purpose of God. Amen.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
“Repent and Live”. Repenting for our weaknesses and shortcomings is an ongoing process of everyday Christian Life so that we live our life in fullness. 

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