"I'M SORRY . . . SO SORRY."

     In the words of the old song,  “I’m sorry, so sorry; please accept my apology,”  there is a mini-lesson in repentance.

     Repentance refers to a change in intention along with grief, regret, sorrow, and a change in one’s mind.   But Biblical repentance also requires action, an actual change being made.  It is not just an emotion going no further than tears or a heavy heart.  And it is not just a single response to a single act, but a changed life. It is a commitment made with promises to change and to cease sinful living.

     Once this promise is made and the new nature is received through baptism, the old self, or carnal nature, dies and is done away with.  The desire to sin may still linger, but this new spiritual nature is able to resist the temptations of sin through the power of the Holy Spirit within him.  This allows a new life full of Christ-like thinking and behavior.

What Action is Expected?

     There are Scriptures that spell out what actions are expected from Biblical repentance.  Acts 3:19 says, __“Repent, then  and  turn to God  so that your sins may be wiped out, so that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.”  The action is conversion, or turning away from your old life.  In Acts 2: 38, Peter says to the crowd he is preaching to—”Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ so that your  sins may  be forgiven.”  The action is baptism.  Something is required besides repentance—one’s relationship with God cannot be complete with repentance only. You must continue on to include baptism, the point in which you actually receive your new nature and begin your walk in a new life. 

     In Luke 15: 11-31, the parable of the Prodigal Son tells of the son who squanders his inheritance, lives sinfully, and ends up with the pigs.  But he comes to his senses and turns toward home, humble and contrite. He repents, admits his sinful living, returns home and confesses his failings to his father.  The father welcomes him home with loving arms and forgives him!  This lesson illustrates Jesus’ willingness to accept anyone willing to repent.

   Another lesson of repentance is seen in Job.  God chose Job, a good man—maybe one of the best in the Bible—to teach us that even he needed to repent!  __”My ears  have heard of You   but now my eyes have seen You.  Therefore I despise myself, and repent in dust and ashes.”  Job 42: 5-6.  This teaches us that no matter how good we think ourselves to be, we need to see ourselves as God sees us.  The holiness of God contrasts with our sinful life—we need to repent.

     God leads us to repentance and offers it to us.   __” . . . that He might give repentance and forgiveness of sins . . . Acts 5: 31.  Repentance leads us to true life.  __”God has granted repentance unto life.”  Acts 11: 18.  It is by God’s kindness to us that this repentance is offered.  __”Do you not know that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?”  Romans 2: 4 . 

     Since God, in His love, has provided this avenue for you to follow in your continuing journey to salvation, do not miss this opportunity to move closer to Him by refusing to repent.

 

 

 

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