Repentance

“Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand.”   These were the words of John the Baptist preaching in the wilderness of Judea and announcing the coming of the long-awaited Messiah.  As John was baptizing in the Jordan River, Jesus approached and John exclaimed “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.”

Repentance is a God-enabled change of mind and direction, turning away from sin and self and toward God and His truth.  It is the critical first step in a believer’s walk with Christ.  Yet, repentance also involves a continuing correction of the heart, mind and behavior as the believer matures in his faith.

Repentance requires acknowledging your sinful nature, with all of its guilt, shame and hopelessness.  It leads you to recognize the need for a power greater than yourself.   True decisive repentance renounces trust in oneself, in the law, in religion, in morality, and in any other idol standing between you and God.

Instead, repentance leads to surrender to Christ as both Lord and Savior.   Initially, repentance clears a path through which the redemptive power of Christ can begin to work.  Over time, ongoing repentance continues to align the mind and heart with God’s truth.   This refining of motives allows an ever-deepening surrender to the authority of Christ. 

Repentance, accompanied with surrender to Christ, begins a progression from sin, to forgiveness, to freedom, to fruitfulness, ending with ultimate oneness with God through Christ Jesus. 

What do you need to repent today?

Someone’s eternity depends on it!

Awaken the sleeper!