WATCHWORD:
8 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:8-9
Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord. Acts 3:19
The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 1 Peter 3:9
Meditation:
Repent!
Can’t you hear the echoes from the gospel tent of an old time evangelist urging and calling to his congregation, “Repent! Turn from your sinful ways. Failure will lead you to hell’s damnation!”
Then we have the image of John the Baptist standing on the banks of the Jordan River preaching a ministry of repentance and baptism by the Holy Spirit.
What does repentance mean? It means a change of mind, simple as that. Have you ever changed your mind? Of course. Ever had your mind changed for you? Maybe when you really didn’t want to be forced to think differently, and yet, when confronted with facts…
Repentance: In the Old Testament, two Hebrew words help us understand repentance. The first is the word nacham, which means to turn around or to change the mind. The second is the word sub (that is a long u). It is used over 600 times in the Old Testament and is translated by such words as “turn,” “return,” “seek,” “restore.” You see it very often in phrases like “to turn to the Lord with all your heart.”
So, at its core, repentance means change your mind and you do something about it! You act on it. Jesus’s first directive was not to believe, but to repent, because repentance leads to faith—it’s a foundational practice we cannot afford to ignore.
Our salvation is an expression of grace—we didn’t earn it, we don’t deserve it, and it’s not based on merit. But for Jesus to be Lord of our lives, we need to regularly repent and yield our will to Him. Repentance is not a “one and done” transaction, because we step from grace to sin, repeatedly in the course of living. Jesus is Lord of everything, or He’s not Lord of anything! In repentance, we are inviting the Spirit of God to give us eyes to see and ears to hear what He wants to show us. Amen.
Did You Catch That:
Jesus is Lord of everything, or He’s not Lord of anything.
Prayer of Repentance:
Heavenly and Almighty God, I come before you humbled and sorrowful, aware of my sin, and ready to repent. Lord, forgive me for I have sinned before you. Wash away my sin, purify me, and help me to turn from this sin. Lead me to walk in your way instead, leaving behind my old life and starting a new life in you.
