“In the same way, there is joy in the presence of God’s angels when even one sinner repents.”
(Luke 15:10, NLT)
(Luke 15:10, NLT)
“In May of 1948 three men robbed a bank in Hoyt, Kansas, getting away with $1,000. Shortly thereafter two men were killed in a car wreck, and police thought they were the robbers and the case was closed. Four years later, however, something unusual happened. On a Sunday morning at the Seward Avenue Baptist Church a young man named Al Johnson stepped to the pulpit and revealed to the congregation that the day before he had gone to the district attorney and confessed his role in the crime.
“I thought about the bank robbery many times,” said Al Johnson. Johnson, who was a teenager when the crime occurred, also stated, “I prayed about it and asked the Lord to give me an answer. It seemed that He would give me only one answer and that was to give myself up.” Johnson also revealed that he had borrowed the money to repay the bank his share of the stolen funds. The statute of limitations had expired, but Johnson said that even if it meant going to prison, he could not keep the secret any longer.” (Lewiston Evening Journal, May 5, 1952)
When some people become church members, there is not much of a change. The saving grace of God does not take hold. Simply coming to church does not change their attitude nor way of life. When a person is truly saved, there is an immediate and powerful change in attitude, responsibility, hope, forgiveness and so much more. Essentially, their core beliefs and attitudes change. They become true to their word. They speak the truth in love. They follow God’s will. I also believe that a true person of God repents honestly and forthrightly. Their repentance is a real turning away from sin and a move closer to God. They don’t do it for show; they do it for God. They aren’t filled with vengeance or anger or resentment. God’s forgiveness and grace settles into all the areas of heart and soul and mind.
Like Billy Graham, I believe that true repentance changes the holy person. It shows. It matters. When you confess and come clean about some misstep or error or sin, God will be moved with forgiveness and grace. However, there are too many people who fake their guilt, lie about their willingness to repent, or cover up their sin. Where true repentance is a life-changing action, many “fake Christians” make repentance an act instead of a cleansing. How good are you at repentance? Do you hold back from true repentance? When you say you are sorry, are you only going through the motions or will something change in your heart and soul?
In the scripture for today, Luke wrote that when even one sinner repents, heaven sees “joy in the presence of God’s angels” (Luke 15:10). True repentance is recognized by heaven for the powerful and joyful action that sets it apart from fake versions of atonement. As I read this verse of the Bible today, I was shocked to see how even one person who repents can bring joy to all of heaven, ALL OF HEAVEN! It’s that powerful of a spiritual action. Why would anyone not want to repent?
I have met with so many people who kept sin bottled up inside. The sin festered and multiplied with age. I often said to myself, “Why don’t people just "fess up" and repent? It would be so much better for the soul!” That’s because I’ve seen the damage from festering sin. Repentance is God’s remedy for the fallen soul. Jesus spoke the words written in Luke 15:10. He wanted people to take advantage of the powerful spiritual life-giving power of repentance mixed with grace and forgiveness. He wants you to know that repentance is a life-changer. Its effects reach all the way into Heaven.
Is there a sin holding you captive? Are you afraid of confessing your mistakes and failures and misdeeds? Don’t be a fake Christian with bottled up sins and malicious secrets. Repent with your whole heart and cause rejoicing in Heaven today!
“I thought about the bank robbery many times,” said Al Johnson. Johnson, who was a teenager when the crime occurred, also stated, “I prayed about it and asked the Lord to give me an answer. It seemed that He would give me only one answer and that was to give myself up.” Johnson also revealed that he had borrowed the money to repay the bank his share of the stolen funds. The statute of limitations had expired, but Johnson said that even if it meant going to prison, he could not keep the secret any longer.” (Lewiston Evening Journal, May 5, 1952)
When some people become church members, there is not much of a change. The saving grace of God does not take hold. Simply coming to church does not change their attitude nor way of life. When a person is truly saved, there is an immediate and powerful change in attitude, responsibility, hope, forgiveness and so much more. Essentially, their core beliefs and attitudes change. They become true to their word. They speak the truth in love. They follow God’s will. I also believe that a true person of God repents honestly and forthrightly. Their repentance is a real turning away from sin and a move closer to God. They don’t do it for show; they do it for God. They aren’t filled with vengeance or anger or resentment. God’s forgiveness and grace settles into all the areas of heart and soul and mind.
Like Billy Graham, I believe that true repentance changes the holy person. It shows. It matters. When you confess and come clean about some misstep or error or sin, God will be moved with forgiveness and grace. However, there are too many people who fake their guilt, lie about their willingness to repent, or cover up their sin. Where true repentance is a life-changing action, many “fake Christians” make repentance an act instead of a cleansing. How good are you at repentance? Do you hold back from true repentance? When you say you are sorry, are you only going through the motions or will something change in your heart and soul?
In the scripture for today, Luke wrote that when even one sinner repents, heaven sees “joy in the presence of God’s angels” (Luke 15:10). True repentance is recognized by heaven for the powerful and joyful action that sets it apart from fake versions of atonement. As I read this verse of the Bible today, I was shocked to see how even one person who repents can bring joy to all of heaven, ALL OF HEAVEN! It’s that powerful of a spiritual action. Why would anyone not want to repent?
I have met with so many people who kept sin bottled up inside. The sin festered and multiplied with age. I often said to myself, “Why don’t people just "fess up" and repent? It would be so much better for the soul!” That’s because I’ve seen the damage from festering sin. Repentance is God’s remedy for the fallen soul. Jesus spoke the words written in Luke 15:10. He wanted people to take advantage of the powerful spiritual life-giving power of repentance mixed with grace and forgiveness. He wants you to know that repentance is a life-changer. Its effects reach all the way into Heaven.
Is there a sin holding you captive? Are you afraid of confessing your mistakes and failures and misdeeds? Don’t be a fake Christian with bottled up sins and malicious secrets. Repent with your whole heart and cause rejoicing in Heaven today!