Let's Burn that "Fire Insurance"...

I had a lot pop out at me today: Luke 23:50-51 24:19,32,46-47,49 all had some significant meaning for me. But since I usually try to keep this brief I'd like to talk about Luke 24:46-7

And said to them, Thus it is written that the Christ (the Messiah) should suffer and on the third day rise from (among) the dead, and that repentance [with a view to and as the condition of] forgiveness of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.

Hmmm... repentance and forgiveness have been pretty hot topics lately. Reading this verse in the Amplified is interesting, especially this; "repentance as the condition of forgiveness of sins should be preached in His name". What? What in the world is repentance? When I was little it just meant saying sorry to my little sisters so I wouldn't get in trouble. (you know how that goes- you don't actually need to have a change of heart or feel truly sorry- ya just gotta say it!) But, like the univversity chaplain said the other night, repentance is totally turning around. Even wikipedia defines repentance as "a change of thought and action". So it must be true. (that was a joke.) But if we read that verse with the meaning of repentance in mind; "a change of thought and action, a total turn-around from one's old life as the condition ("assumption on which rests the validity or effect of something else") of forgiveness of sins is what we ought to be preaching in the name of Jesus. It's a mouthful and a thoughtful too. But what if that's what Jesus meant- that we really have to CHANGE and not just say a sinner's prayer in order to receive forgiveness. Not trying to invalidate anyone's "fire insurance" but it's just something to think about...