Mortification
The kingdom of God is at hand; repent, and believe in the gospel. Mark 1:15 As her second month of reflection. Elizabeth Leseur offers mortification. Really? Repent, yes, but mortification? I can't get excited about it. She quotes Mark 1:15 to show that mortification is a requirement, but I think that leaps over a few fences. The gospel is adamant that repentance is an absolute requirement. There is no question about that. That does not equate to mortification, at least not directly. Repentance, penance, and mortification are three different things. Some definitions might help. Repentance is the action of repenting; sincere regret or remorse, a change of heart. It is generally described as a turning away from sin and worldly values and turning your face (and heart and soul) to God. It is foundational. You can't give yourself over to God without it. So repent if you would call yourself a Christian. Repenting brings conseque