"Therefore, O house of Israel, I will judge you, each one according to his ways, declares the Sovereign LORD. Repent! Turn away from all your offenses; then sin will not be your downfall. Rid yourselves of all the offenses you have committed, and get a new heart and a new spirit. Why will you die, O house of Israel? For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign LORD. Repent and live!"

This is a clear call from the Lord to recognize the dire consequences of sin and turn to the Lord in repentance. Repentance was always meant to be good news as we see the benefits of trusting in a loving Heavenly Father who knows what’s best for us.

To turn from sin and self-centeredness requires that we receive a new heart and a new spirit. This passage boldly challenges the reader to get a new heart and a new spirit. This means that there’s something proactive that each of us can do in recognizing the futility and destructiveness of sin and embracing a life of service and obedience to the Lord. Sin will always cause some kind of downfall in our lives and it simply isn’t worth it to continue living that way. There’s a much better way to live and it is found in the words of our Sovereign Lord: “Repent and live!” To truly live is to go His way and walk in the freedom He has for us.

I am challenged to recognize the pockets in my life where sin could still drag me down in some way. It may be as simple as not spending as much time on certain things so that I can devote more time to God. It may mean to lay aside certain things I want to do so that I am able to serve others in my life. I must be willing to embrace each day with a new heart and a new spirit. This new heart needs to be pliable, flexible and teachable before God so that I can hear His voice and go his way.

To repent and live means to take seriously the call to examine my heart for any places where thoughts, attitudes and actions would have not pleased the Lord. This scripture is a great invitation to constant relationship with Jesus where He will show me how to truly live as I walk in His Spirit and live in His presence.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You so much for inviting me into relationship with You. Thank You for helping me to realize that I can live with a new heart and new spirit this day as I am dependent on your voice and the leading of your Holy Spirit. Come Lord Jesus, and fill me with your love. I set my heart today to live for You and walk closely with You. I repent for the times I have gone my own way. Help me to recognize the futility of poor choices and sinful patterns. I set my heart to honor You in all that I say, in all that I think, and in all that I do today. Fill me with your Spirit so that I am able to do your will in your strength.