On Prayer to Our Redeemer
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Repent. At face value it means to be sorry for something bad that we did. However, with God repentance means to turn from our evil ways and not repeat the behavior that we are sorry for. True repentance requires that we feel sorry for transgressing God and not sorry that we were caught. There is a big difference. Throughout scripture we are called to repent:
“Repent, then, and turn back, so that your sins may be wiped away, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that He may send Jesus, the Christ, who has been appointed for you,” (Acts 3:19).
Scripture promises that “refreshment” will come if we choose to turn from our wicked ways. Proof that holiness brings joy and peace. Repentance is more significant than only being sorry, it is the vehicle that unites man and God. We repent for our sins and we are reunited with God the Father in holiness:
“For godly grief produces a repentance not to be regretted and leading to salvation, but worldly grief produces death,” (2 Corinthians 7:10).
Repentance is the first call towards a relationship with God. Take John the Baptist for example, he preached repentance above all:
“In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.” This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah: “A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for Him,’” (Matthew 3:2-3).
As John the Baptist preached repentance. he made straight paths for the Lord so that we might have a relationship with Christ. It’s significant that repentance comes before any association with God because God is holy and we have to make a conscientious effort to leave behind our sinful ways before we can clear a path to communicate with God. That makes sense doesn’t it? God wants a relationship with us, that is clear through the sacrifice of His Son at Calvary, but in order for that relationship to come to fruition, God needs a promise from us that we won’t return to our evil lifestyle and that we are truly reborn and made a new creation in Him. Of course it takes time to be purified in God. It’s why we have the Holy Spirit:
“All this I have spoken to you while I am still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have told you. Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled; do not be afraid,: (John 14:26-27).
Through repentance by the power of the Holy Spirit we grow in our faith and walk with Christ and little by little release our wicked ways. Two key points of repentance requires that:
In Christ, all things are possible including true repentance. Before we come to God we must have a desire to change our lives. For some this is an easy transition, but for others it takes convincing that their life is broken and lost without God. For those of us in repentance, praise the Lord! For those who still don’t believe, I encourage you to remember that life is fleeting and that we only have a certain amount of time on this earth to be united to Christ. Repentance is important and the gateway to a relationship with a God who loves us and wants to heal us. There is one God and He has called everybody to repentance. Some hear the call but to those who don’t, God’s children are appointed the task of delivering the message of salvation. Much like this message. God knows His own and to those who have not come to him there is much joy in heaven when a sinner repents:
“In the same way, there is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven’t strayed away!” (Luke 15:7).
We are granted repentance through God’s grace alone and it is not deserving in any way. God chooses to forgive us when we repent and there is nothing we can do to be worthy of God’s forgiveness:
“For no one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them to me, and at the last day I will raise them up,” (John 6:44).
Correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth,” (2 Timothy 2:25).
There is also a promise to reveal truth. For those of us who walk a life inquiring about the significance of living, truth is a mighty motivator to come to repentance and draw near to God. I want truth in my life. I want to understand why I am here and in Christ all of this is possible. However, the revelation of truth is only possible if God forgives me. Without repentance there is no forgiveness. And without forgiveness we wallow in sin.
“Now repent of your sins and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away,” (Acts 3:19).
“No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish as well!” (Luke 13:3).
“Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land,” (2 Chronicles 7:14).
Repentance is the evidence that we are truly saved and that our lives will change. In repentance, the Holy Spirit within us can change our heart and minds to align it with what God has to offer which is a promise of a life well lived according to His will which is always good.
“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new,” (2 Corinthians 5:17).
“You’ll recognize them by their fruit. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes or figs from thistles? In the same way, every good tree produces good fruit, but a bad tree produces bad fruit,” (Matthew 7:16-17).
In summary, repentance brings us one step closer to God. God is willing to forgive our sins if only we are willing to repent. God sent His only begotten son not to condemn us but to save us once we repent:
“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him. Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is already condemned, because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son,” (John 3:17-18).
Crysaly holds a Master of Divinity degree.
