Repentance is a U-turn
In our A-Z of Salvation we've arrived at R, R for Repentance. I wonder what that word means to you, dear reader and what feelings it evokes.
Perhaps the very word stirs up feelings of failure or frustration at the lack of progress you feel you have made in conquering some besetting sin.
Perhaps it reminds you of the amazing changes that took place in your life when you first believed. How you turned (another word for repentance) from darkness to light, from idols to the living God.
Perhaps a backslider reads this word and whistfully remembers the days when they walked with the Lord and now wishes they could return.
Let's say three words that should encourage every heart. The first is that repentance is a U-turn, both in mind and in life. Before repentance we believe or do one thing, and after repentance we believe and act in another way, 180 degrees differently.
Repentance always starts with a change of mind. One word for repentance means quite literally 'change(of)mind.' We used to believe that Jesus was just a good man, now we believe he is the Son of God. We used to believe that stealing was OK as long as you got away with it, now we believe that it is a sin. We used to believe that when you die you rot, we now believe that after a person dies, their soul lives forever, in heaven or in hell. We used to believe that adultery was just a harmless fling, we now it to be a heinous and wicked act against God.
Inevitably, a change of mind leads to a change in action: we worship the Son of God, we stop stealing, we prepare for eternity, we put away sexual immorality.
This is the first truth we need to know about Repentance - it is a U-turn, in fact a constant never ending series of U-turns - on the road of life.
The Precious gift of Repentance
The next thing we should know about repentance is that it is a gift of God. No-one can repent of their false beliefs or wicked sins without the help of God's Holy Spirit. Only the Holy Spirit of God can make us Holy. "Even to Gentiles God has granted (or gifted) repentance that leads to life.” (Acts 11:18).
Every act of genuine repentance we have ever been privileged to experience in our lives has been wrought by the Holy Spirit's divine power.
It must be that way, for we are unable to act on our own, for in our sinful flesh dwells no good thing.
The Command to Repent
And yet - and yet! Although repentance is a gift, we are called to repent! "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ" (Acts 2:38) God gives repentance and we are called to repent, they go together.
We can never say "Since I find myself powerless to repent of that sin I shan't bother, instead I shall wait until God empowers me." No! We are not robots. God exhorts us to act and then as we act we shall discover his enabling power pouring in to help us act at the very same time.
True repentance begins with God's view of error and God's view of sin. We learn from the Word the true nature of sin from God's perspective.
Potiphar's pagan wife may think that an affair with the handsome young Joseph is just a bit of innocent fun, but Joseph views adultery with her through the spectacles of God's holiness and replies to her advances, "How could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God."
Summing it all Up
To some folks the word repentance is a negative word, but the truth is quite otherwise. Nothing holds a believer back from joy and assurance more than error and sin, and nothing leads to a harvest of righteousness and joy more than truth and repentance.
True repentance begins with godly sorrow over our sins, and godly sorrow, says Paul, "brings repentance that leads to salvation." (2 Corinthians 7:10)
You will remember the prodigal son. His repentance began when the consequences of walking out on dad overwhelmed him. Losing his fair-weather friends. Feeding those forbidden filthy pigs. Remembering the love and provision he once enjoyed at the home of his father. All painful stuff when you're sat a thousand miles away without friends.
What did he do? He repented. What does that mean? He stood up and deliberated (mind) and walked back (action) to father, apologised (action) and was welcomed with a royal party.
God holds no ill feelings towards the sons and daughters who u-turn home. Just the opposite, so great is his love.
A SONG FOR THE DAY
I can't find a suitable YouTube version of this Timothy Dudley-Smith hymn about repentance, but the words are well worth pondering as one might ponder a poem.
Above the voices of the world around me,
my hopes and dreams, my cares and loves and fears,
the long-awaited call of Christ has found me,
the voice of Jesus echoes in my ears:
`I gave my life to break the cords that bind you,
I rose from death to set your spirit free;
turn from your sins and put the past behind you,
take up your cross and come and follow me.'
What can I offer him who calls me to him?
Only the wastes of sin and self and shame;
a mind confused, a heart that never knew him,
a tongue unskilled at naming Jesus' Name.
Yet at your call, and hungry for your blessing,
drawn by that cross which moves a heart of stone,
now Lord I come, my tale of sin confessing,
and in repentance turn to you alone.
Lord, I believe; help now my unbelieving;
I come in faith because your promise stands.
Your word of pardon and of peace receiving,
all that I am I place within your hands.
Let me become what you shall choose to make me,
freed from the guilt and burden of my sins.
Jesus is mine, who never shall forsake me,
and in his love my new-born life begins.
A PRAYER FOR THE DAY
Our merciful Father in heaven,
We worship your great and hallowed name. We thank you for your everlasting love for us, even though we fail you so often.
Give to us the daily gift of repentance. Turn us away from our error to your truth, away from idols to the living God, away from our sin to your righteousness.
Lead us through godly sorrow and repentance to your salvation.
We ask this in the name of Jesus
Amen
Photo by Ozark Drones on Unsplash
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