Years ago, the late Harry...
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Years ago, the late Harry Emerson Fosdick wrote: "Sometimes I think we would do well to declare a moratorium on that word 'save.' It is too much like its kindred word 'safe.' " Fosdick pointed out that change was what the New Testament was talking about. He listed those changes: "changed lives, changed human relationships, a changed society, a changed world." John said, "Change your hearts and lives (Matthew 3:2, The Everyday Bible)." Christ announced the same message (Matthew 4:17) and sent out his 12 ambassadors to say the same thing: "The followers went out and preached to the people to change their hearts and lives" (Mark 6:12, The Everyday Bible). In today's passage, Mark wrote: "John came ... preaching a baptism of repentance" (Mark 1:4). At the heart of this word "repent" is the idea of change. The Greek word behind our term "repent" is "metanoeo." This Greek word came from "meta" ("after," implying change) and "noeo" ("to perceive," from "nous," the mind). It is akin to our word "metamorphosis," meaning a change of form. In the New Testament, this change of outlook and lifestyle is always for the better. In fact, The Everyday Bible (New Century Version) translates these words of Mark in this way: "He preached a baptism of changed hearts and lives."
-- Chinn
-- Chinn
