“From the days of your fathers you have turned aside from my statutes and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you, says the LORD of hosts….’” (Malachi 3:7, ESV)
The Christian season of Lent will begin next week. Many churches will promote this season. Some will not. Whether or not you celebrate Lent, it is comprised of forty days (not including Sundays) of self-examination just before Easter. This season in the church year is a time to reflect, look to God, and repent of your sin. In early church days, people often used Lent to prepare to be baptized on Easter, to fast and make themselves ready for Jesus’s return, to commit to prayer, and to atone for one’s sins. In essence, this season is a time to make things right in honor of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross and His resurrection on Easter.
Because Lent is a season of repentance, it is crucially important that you realize what repentance is and who needs it. First, let me say that repentance is not feeling sorry that something went wrong. Instead, it is a self-examination of one’s error in following God’s word, God’s laws, and God’s way; then, doing something holy about it! The Old and New Testament words for “repent” mean to “turn” or “return” to godliness. Some Bible commentators have explained repentance as “doing a 180 degree turn morally in your life, where you end up going toward God and godliness”. Essentially, it involves turning totally away from sin. Who needs to repent? Everyone who sins... and that includes you!
There are some people who may think they are repenting when they are not. Some of these people use tricks to make it look like they are changing their ways when that is not what is happening. For example, just because a person admits they have sinned doesn’t mean they will change their ways or atone for that sin. Others might only acknowledge they didn’t “quite measure up” to God instead of full-out admitting they sinned. All too many may turn away from sin for a short while only to return to the sin later. Then, one may wonder if in fact they have really repented and “changed their ways”.
King Saul sinned against God in several grievous ways. In fighting war, he didn’t follow God’s command. When God would not answer Saul’s prayer, Saul sought out a witch to divine his future. Saul hid many sins, then lied about his sin to the prophet Samuel.
When God revealed Saul’s sin to Samuel, God gave a message for Saul. Saul was “rejected as King” by God. Was Saul sorry? Yes. But Saul never really repented. Even when Saul admitted his sin, he used excuses to justify his sin. Saul said to Samuel, “I have disobeyed your instructions and the LORD’s command, for I was afraid of the people and did what they demanded” (1 Samuel 15:24 NLT). If you look closely at Saul’s words, he never repented. He never admitted his sinful actions against God. Instead, Saul said he “disobeyed… .because he was afraid”. Nowhere in this admission was there a `confession of guilt, only an explanation for his actions. It may have looked like Saul was repenting, but he was not. He never really changed his ways either.
On the other hand, King David sinned against God and completely repented of his actions. After being involved in adultery and murder, David’s sin was exposed. David confessed publicly to God, “My sin is ever before me. Against You, You only, I have sinned and done what is evil in Your sight” (Psalm 51:3–4). David grieved over his sin. David admitted he tried to hide his sin. Then, after coming clean, David fully committed himself to godly repentance. He did this publicly, with no willingness to hide his terrible actions. David made a one-eighty in his life. He changed his ways in accordance with God’s call to repent.
Did you notice the distinct difference between these two men of the Bible and their response to sin? One tried to justify and explain away his sinful behavior. The other fully admitted his sin and changed his ways. Only one truly repented: King David.
God wants you to repent of your sin. God wants you to come clean, not hide or justify your actions. God requires your confession of sin, a change of your ways, and a turn away from that sin from now on. This process of repentance may require a lot of soul-searching on your part. You may have to swallow your pride. You will need to change your attitude and actions in the future. It is the only way to truly repent as God sees fit.
What kind of repentance does the Lord desire to see in your life? God knows your heart and your weaknesses, and He wants you to admit them. Why? God loves you enough to know that without true repentance, you will never experience the freedom and joy and peace that comes with being completely forgiven.
Do you need to come clean about something wrong in your life today? Are you willing to make a “one-eighty”, turning away from sin? Can you repent with a whole heart without justifying your sinfulness? Will you accept God’s forgiveness and grace in respect of Jesus Christ?
Why not set aside some time before Easter to make things right in your life. Come clean with God and others. Make amends. Admit your mistakes. Confess your sin. Repent of your error. I want you to be ready for Judgment Day. True repentance is God’s remedy for any sin.
Because Lent is a season of repentance, it is crucially important that you realize what repentance is and who needs it. First, let me say that repentance is not feeling sorry that something went wrong. Instead, it is a self-examination of one’s error in following God’s word, God’s laws, and God’s way; then, doing something holy about it! The Old and New Testament words for “repent” mean to “turn” or “return” to godliness. Some Bible commentators have explained repentance as “doing a 180 degree turn morally in your life, where you end up going toward God and godliness”. Essentially, it involves turning totally away from sin. Who needs to repent? Everyone who sins... and that includes you!
There are some people who may think they are repenting when they are not. Some of these people use tricks to make it look like they are changing their ways when that is not what is happening. For example, just because a person admits they have sinned doesn’t mean they will change their ways or atone for that sin. Others might only acknowledge they didn’t “quite measure up” to God instead of full-out admitting they sinned. All too many may turn away from sin for a short while only to return to the sin later. Then, one may wonder if in fact they have really repented and “changed their ways”.
King Saul sinned against God in several grievous ways. In fighting war, he didn’t follow God’s command. When God would not answer Saul’s prayer, Saul sought out a witch to divine his future. Saul hid many sins, then lied about his sin to the prophet Samuel.
When God revealed Saul’s sin to Samuel, God gave a message for Saul. Saul was “rejected as King” by God. Was Saul sorry? Yes. But Saul never really repented. Even when Saul admitted his sin, he used excuses to justify his sin. Saul said to Samuel, “I have disobeyed your instructions and the LORD’s command, for I was afraid of the people and did what they demanded” (1 Samuel 15:24 NLT). If you look closely at Saul’s words, he never repented. He never admitted his sinful actions against God. Instead, Saul said he “disobeyed… .because he was afraid”. Nowhere in this admission was there a `confession of guilt, only an explanation for his actions. It may have looked like Saul was repenting, but he was not. He never really changed his ways either.
On the other hand, King David sinned against God and completely repented of his actions. After being involved in adultery and murder, David’s sin was exposed. David confessed publicly to God, “My sin is ever before me. Against You, You only, I have sinned and done what is evil in Your sight” (Psalm 51:3–4). David grieved over his sin. David admitted he tried to hide his sin. Then, after coming clean, David fully committed himself to godly repentance. He did this publicly, with no willingness to hide his terrible actions. David made a one-eighty in his life. He changed his ways in accordance with God’s call to repent.
Did you notice the distinct difference between these two men of the Bible and their response to sin? One tried to justify and explain away his sinful behavior. The other fully admitted his sin and changed his ways. Only one truly repented: King David.
God wants you to repent of your sin. God wants you to come clean, not hide or justify your actions. God requires your confession of sin, a change of your ways, and a turn away from that sin from now on. This process of repentance may require a lot of soul-searching on your part. You may have to swallow your pride. You will need to change your attitude and actions in the future. It is the only way to truly repent as God sees fit.
What kind of repentance does the Lord desire to see in your life? God knows your heart and your weaknesses, and He wants you to admit them. Why? God loves you enough to know that without true repentance, you will never experience the freedom and joy and peace that comes with being completely forgiven.
Do you need to come clean about something wrong in your life today? Are you willing to make a “one-eighty”, turning away from sin? Can you repent with a whole heart without justifying your sinfulness? Will you accept God’s forgiveness and grace in respect of Jesus Christ?
Why not set aside some time before Easter to make things right in your life. Come clean with God and others. Make amends. Admit your mistakes. Confess your sin. Repent of your error. I want you to be ready for Judgment Day. True repentance is God’s remedy for any sin.