John the Baptist did not say, "Rededicate, for the kingdom of God is near." Christ never said, "The kingdom of God is near. Rededicate and believe the good news!"
Nor did Jesus say, "For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not rededicate and believe him."
Instead, the word was Repent.
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Repent means to turn away from sin. Repent means to become dedicated, or set apart, to changing one's life ... permanently.
Repenting doesn't mean looking the other way when it's convenient ... trusting that salvation is permanent but the wages of sin are not ... then going forth to sin some more.
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Jesus straightened up and asked her, "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?"
"No one, sir," she said.
"Then neither do I condemn you," Jesus declared. "Go now and leave your life of sin."
- John 8:10-11
