Friday 6 March

Ezekiel 18:21-28; Psalm 130; Matthew 5:20-26

New heart and new spirit

True repentance is more than skin deep. Mercy is poured out on us when we turn away from wrong-doing and turn again to God. However, when action does not follow our word to do well, then all the previous good actions count for nothing. Repentance – a commitment to personal change and the resolve to live a more just and loving life – most often requires of us a new heart and a new spirit. If you, O Lord, should mark our guilt, Lord, who would survive? But with you is found forgiveness.