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Choosing Life: A Call to Repentance and Renewal

In a world plagued by natural disasters, wars, and deep-seated divisions, it's easy to feel overwhelmed by the chaos and violence that surround us. The hatred and intolerance permeating our society stand in stark contrast to the Christian values many claim to uphold. As we navigate these turbulent times, we're faced with a crucial decision: Will we choose life, or will we choose death?

The apostle Paul's warning to the Corinthians resonates just as strongly today. He urged them to remember the sins of their ancestors, and we would do well to heed this advice ourselves. Romans 6:23 reminds us that "the wages of sin is death," but we're not without hope. Jesus offers us a choice: repent and live, or continue in our ways and perish.

Lent provides us with a perfect opportunity for self-examination, reflection, and renewal. As Romans 12 exhorts, we must "not conform to the patterns of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." This season invites us to take a hard look at our lives and ask ourselves: Are we living as Christ would have us live? What needs to change in our hearts and minds to become who God created us to be?

The parable of the fig tree offers a poignant illustration of our spiritual condition. Like the unproductive tree that had failed to bear fruit for three years, we may find ourselves in a state of spiritual barrenness. The owner's desire to cut down the tree reflects the judgment we face if we remain unfruitful. However, the gardener's plea for one more chance reminds us of God's patience and desire for our growth. We must ask ourselves: Do we need some digging into our souls and fertilizing with God's word to become fruitful once again?

Repentance is at the heart of this transformation. But what does it truly mean to repent? It's more than simply feeling sorry or asking for forgiveness. Repentance involves a complete change of mind, a new way of seeing things, and a different perspective. It means turning towards God and away from sin – anything that separates us from our Creator.

True repentance is not just an internal process; it manifests itself in visible ways. As John the Baptist warned in Luke 3, we must "produce fruit in keeping with repentance." This fruit appears as the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control. These qualities should be evident in our lives if we have truly repented.

Jesus distilled the essence of God's commandments into two fundamental principles: love God with all your heart, and love your neighbor as yourself. The second commandment presents a particular challenge, as our ability to love others is often hindered by our struggle to love ourselves. The saying "hurt people hurt people" rings true – if we don't love ourselves, it becomes exceedingly difficult to extend that love to our neighbors.

As we reflect on our identity as Christians, we must honestly assess whether our actions align with our professed faith. In a nation that claims to be Christian, do we see evidence of Christ-like behavior in our daily lives and in our treatment of others, especially those who are different from us or in need?

The path of forgiveness is perhaps one of the most challenging aspects of the Christian walk. A personal story illustrates this point: A woman who, in her twenties, harbored intense hatred towards the murderer of her best friend and goddaughter. Years later, when faced with a similar tragedy, she found herself able to forgive – a testament to the transformative power of Christ's love in her life.

The remarkable forgiveness demonstrated by the families of the Charleston, South Carolina shooting victims serves as a powerful example of this Christ-like love in action. Their ability to forgive in the face of such devastating loss challenges us to examine our own capacity for forgiveness and reminds us that holding onto unforgiveness ultimately hurts us more than those who have wronged us.

As Christians, we are called to a life of daily repentance and renewal. Each morning presents an opportunity to turn back to God, to bear the fruits of repentance, and to approach the world with grace, kindness, and love. This process is like the gardener in the parable, digging around the soil of our souls, breaking up the weeds of sin that entangle our roots, and nourishing us with the fertilizer of God's Word.

We can feed our souls through Bible study, worship, prayer, and other spiritual disciplines. These practices help us remember who we are and whose we are, enabling us to live out our faith in tangible ways.

The call to be fruitful applies not only to us as individuals but also to our communities, churches, and even our nation. If we claim to be a Christian nation, we must act like followers of Christ. We must examine the fruit we have produced and ask ourselves if it reflects the love and compassion of Jesus.

While our salvation is assured through faith in Jesus Christ, we must remember that faith without works is dead. As Christians, we face a choice: we can remain silent in the face of injustice, hatred, and discrimination, or we can actively demonstrate what it means to be a true follower of Christ by showing love to those who are being harmed.

Our faith compels us to recognize that all humans are created in the image of God. This belief should drive us to love not just in word or speech, but in truth and action. We must stand up against xenophobia, misogyny, and all forms of discrimination, not as a political statement, but as a Christian imperative.

In conclusion, the choice between life and death lies before us. Will we choose to repent, to turn towards God, and to bear fruit that reflects His love? Or will we continue in our old ways, remaining spiritually barren and unproductive? The decision is ours to make, and the consequences are eternal. Let us choose life – a life of love, forgiveness, and active faith that transforms not only our own hearts but the world around us.