Turn, Turn, Turn is the title of a hit song from 1965. The remarkable thing about the song was that the lyrics, for the most part, come directly from the book of Ecclesiastes found in the Bible. The song has been sung at serious occasions such as weddings and funerals ever since. It is appropriate for such occasions because, when someone dies or when someone is married, a major change, or a turning, takes place in the lives of those involved. Some of the lyrics are as follows:
To everything (turn, turn, turn)
There is a season (turn, turn, turn)
And a time to every purpose, under heaven
A time to be born, a time to die
A time to plant, a time to reap
A time to kill, a time to heal
A time to laugh, a time to weep
To everything (turn, turn, turn)
There is a season (turn, turn, turn)
And a time to every purpose, under heaven
A time to build up, a time to break down
A time to dance, a time to mourn
A time to cast away stones, a time to gather
stones together
To everything (turn, turn, turn)
There is a season (turn, turn, turn)
Although all the words to the song are very beautiful, I just want to draw your attention to the simple refrain: “Turn, Turn, Turn.” It is one word repeated many times, but the significance of that one word “turn” cannot be overstated. That one word “turn” expresses the idea of a major change. I would like to explain to you two different ways you need to “turn.” They are both produced through the goodness of God.
First, God wants you to “turn” from the darkness of sin. We live in the world God has made, in bodies He has given to us, with minds He has given us to think and feel. None of these are evil in themselves. What is evil is the stubborn, selfish, prideful use we have made of them. When things are not used for the purpose for which they were intended by the Creator, the result is sin and darkness.
The first turning that God would have us make is to have a deep change of mind towards sin. This change is called “repentance.” Without repentance we will be living in opposition to God. He won’t give us eternal life when we hang on tightly to our sins and resist His grace. Without this turning, we are children of wrath headed into eternal punishment.
“Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, saith the Lord God. Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin” (Ezekiel 18:3030Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, saith the Lord God. Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin. (Ezekiel 18:30)). What God said of Israel in the past is true now for every member of the human race. This is the first turning that needs to be made — the turning from sin. When we hear what God says about us and simply agree with what He says about us in His Word, we’ve turned to Him in repentance. The learning to live without sinning comes after we’ve received a new life from Him.
The second “turning” that God wants us to make is for us to turn to Him. It is the turning that takes place when a soul living without faith turns to the One who is responsible for all the good that has ever been or will ever be. “Without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him” (Hebrews 11:66But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. (Hebrews 11:6)). The prophet Zechariah wrote, “Therefore say thou unto them, Thus saith the Lord of hosts; Turn ye unto Me, saith the Lord of hosts, and I will turn unto you” (Zechariah 1:33Therefore say thou unto them, Thus saith the Lord of hosts; Turn ye unto me, saith the Lord of hosts, and I will turn unto you, saith the Lord of hosts. (Zechariah 1:3)).
These two turnings — the turning from sin and the turning to God in faith — must take place before a person can be right with God. They are God’s instructions, and His goodness is at work to make those turnings happen. But God has another part in the justification of a sinner. First, He forgives the sinner. Their sins are blotted out and not held against them. Second, He provides a new life that delights in pleasing Him.
Are these things in your life? May the words, “Turn, turn, turn,” echo in your heart over and over again, until you decide to turn to the God who loves you.
Don’t go through life without this turning. If you miss out on heaven, it won’t be because God didn’t love you and seek you out. It will be because you refused His love and call to repentance. No matter how deeply you may have revolted from God, it is not too late to turn to Him. “Turn ye unto Him from whom the children of Israel have deeply revolted” (Isaiah 31:66Turn ye unto him from whom the children of Israel have deeply revolted. (Isaiah 31:6)).
“Turn, turn, turn,” and come to God through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will find the grace that brings salvation.