A lot of us have heard: Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand
Some of us even use it.
What really does repentance mean to us?
A change of heart after the realization that one is wrong.
Wikipedia defines it as the process of reviewing one's actions and feeling contrition towards past, and *this is accompanied by commitment to change for the better*
I love this so much.
Repentance is not just me checking my actions to see if they align with God's word.
It is not just me feeling bad for those actions
But rather making efforts to change and being commited to this decision
Let's read Matthew 3:1-2
When it was the right time, John the Baptizer began telling people a message from God. This was out in the desert area of Judea. John said, “Change your hearts and lives, because God’s kingdom is now very near. ”
Matthew 3:1-2 ERV
John's message was a call to repentance.
Like I said, repentance is not being sorry about your mistakes.
It is okay to feel sorry but don't stop there
Repentance is not a feelings word but an action word.
It is a charge
A charge to make a change of heart/direction.
Now I want to ask, Is Repentance something we must do before we come to Christ?
It's a YES and NO.
Repentance is totality of what coming to God looks like
Repentance is the first call to Christ.
First from John, Jesus, Paul and even the disciples when they were sent.
Another thing about John's message, He didn't say You are a sinner, so you must change your ways.
It says: Change your ways because the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand
Our repentance is a response to the message that the kingdom of heaven is here.
Another thing, the call to repentance is not a suggestion.
Everytime it was mentioned, it was (is) a command.
Turn away!
Stop what you are doing!
Change!
In the old testament when people repent, we see them tearing their clothes, tearing down idolatrous statues
Is Repentance only for unbelievers? Nope Everybody
Great.
The call to repentance is for everyone.
If we do not see anything wrong or a need to change, then we cannot change.
You can't turn back unless there is a Conviction you are moving the wrong way.
So if we as Christians do not constantly check ourselves, we might keep doing certain things the wrong way
So we can basically say, one of the first step to repentance is laying that sin bare, keeping it in the open.
Do we remember when Prophet Nathan came to David after he sinned?
Repentance didn't happen until that sin was brought open and acknowledged by David.
So before we can be delivered from something, we must first undeceive ourselves
You cannot stop watching porn if you do not treat it as the sin that it is
You cannot stop lying if you take it as just and it's not really a big deal
And this is why I keep hammering on Christians covering or hiding their sins.
It makes it harder to stop.
We should always check ourselves for spiritual fervor, faithfulness, alertness, love, obedience, purity and growth.
.
Our spirits should always search diligently if there is anything we need to repent of (change or turn away from doing)
God has a purpose not just for you or me as a person but for US.
And when I say us , I mean God and I, you and God
It's a partnership
And partnership calls for responsibility on our end
Call your sins in the worst possible terms, exactly how bad it is so you know why you need to stay away from them.
As Christians, we should master the art of repentance.
We should be quick to it
Don't argue or try to defend your shortcoming.
Especially when we are faced with the truth of the word of God.
This one pierces so much
Let's allow it change us
Don't run away from it
I believe Christians should focus very much on iniquities.
A lot of us feel because we don't commit fornication, steal or we are not gay, we are better
You see all those faults hidden in subtle areas of iniquities, they are worse
You see even pastors and leaders guilty of them and this is because most people don't know.
Pride, covetousness, envy, unbelief, rebellion, selfishness, overambition
All these things in their littlest form are as dangerous as the "worse sin" you can ever think of.
Some of us don't know we are proud
A whole lot of knowledgeable Christians are actually but we don't know.
Always Wanting what others have in a self seeking manner.
You see a Pastor healing the sick and you want to heal too, not because of the sick o but also because of how that will make you feel or people revere you
These little little things, are Big.
They shouldn't be overlooked
We should acknowledge them as what they are
Repentance is not to focus on sin or kill ourselves over it
When you notice and acknowledge, what is next?
Repentance
And making a conscious effort to change
Yes, you make changes.
But on our own, we will struggle
So here we are back to God
Fix your gaze upon Him, see Him in the beauty of His Holiness
When you gaze long enough, you See your true reflection in God
You see all what He has called you to be in Him
When we fix our gaze on God, we see God's unconditional acceptance of us. We see His wish, dedication and commitment in making us just like Him.
Then our lives start reflecting all that we see gazing upon Him
*The Call to repentance is the call to fix our Gaze upon God*
To be conscious of how He sees us, of His Grace, His changing power and love
All these things in their littlest form are as dangerous as the "worse sin" you can ever think of.
Some of us don't know we are proud
A whole lot of knowledgeable Christians are actually but we don't know.
Always Wanting what others have in a self seeking manner.
You see a Pastor healing the sick and you want to heal too, not because of the sick o but also because of how that will make you feel or people revere you
These little little things, are Big.
They shouldn't be overlooked
We should acknowledge them as what they are
Repentance is not to focus on sin or kill ourselves over it
When you notice and acknowledge, what is next?
Repentance
And making a conscious effort to change
Yes, you make changes.
But on our own, we will struggle
So here we are back to God
Fix your gaze upon Him, see Him in the beauty of His Holiness
When you gaze long enough, you See your true reflection in God
You see all what He has called you to be in Him
When we fix our gaze on God, we see God's unconditional acceptance of us. We see His wish, dedication and commitment in making us just like Him.
Then our lives start reflecting all that we see gazing upon Him
*The Call to repentance is the call to fix our Gaze upon God*
To be conscious of how He sees us, of His Grace, His changing power and love
Let us pray.
Thank you Father for your word.
We pray that you reveal to us those subtle areas we need to repent and change from.
Help us to keep our gaze fixed on you always
To be conscious of your Grace.
Amen
Thank you Father for your word.
We pray that you reveal to us those subtle areas we need to repent and change from.
Help us to keep our gaze fixed on you always
To be conscious of your Grace.
Amen
