What
is intended to be a gift has become something Christians cringe at when
hearing.
The word repent is one that
doesn’t sit too well with many people around the world. What is intended to be
a gift and opportunity to encounter the grace of God has now become something
individuals cringe at when hearing. I blame those wielding bullhorns and picket
signs for the mess that has become of repentance. And while this liturgical
experience may have a bad reputation due to the idiotic actions of others, we
must understand that repentance itself one of the most vital parts of the
Christian faith. Without it, a relationship with God isn’t possible.
Repentance is all about turning away
from our fleshly desires, and instead clinging to the beauty and supremacy of
God’s will. There is nothing to be ashamed about in admitting you’ve messed up.
Repentance bridges the gap between our failures and God’s forgiveness. That’s
the beauty. It’s the gateway to new life and an unrelenting relationship
with God.
You and I must stop viewing
repentance as a burdensome I have to, and instead realize it’s an
undeserved I get to. We must understand how lucky we are to have a
loving God who gives us the opportunity to admit our failures and choose to
turn away from our selfish ways. Repentance is a gift not a burden. There
is an unfathomable liturgical experience when one finds the humility to turn
from their ways and seek forgiveness in the grace of God.
The basic definition of repentance
is: to turn away from something or change your mind. Nothing
more and nothing less. Repentance is all about seeking forgiveness for the
mistakes and downfalls we’ve found ourselves in the middle of. When we repent,
we are telling God we put his will above our own.
Repentance itself was never meant to
be promoted in a way of fear-mongering and hate, but instead of love and
excitement for the life and grace that God brings when we decide to turn away
from our selfish ways (Acts 3:19). Let’s take a moment to renew the way
we see repentance because it is a daily occurrence, an act of worship towards God.
“Repentance grows as faith grows. Do not make any mistake about it; repentance is not a thing of days and weeks, a temporary penance to be got over as fast as possible! No; it is the grace of a lifetime, like faith itself. God’s little children repent, and so do the young men and the fathers. Repentance is the inseparable companion of faith.” —Charles Spurgeon
“Repentance grows as faith grows. Do not make any mistake about it; repentance is not a thing of days and weeks, a temporary penance to be got over as fast as possible! No; it is the grace of a lifetime, like faith itself. God’s little children repent, and so do the young men and the fathers. Repentance is the inseparable companion of faith.” —Charles Spurgeon
Jarrid Wilson
Jarrid Wilson is a husband, pastor
and author relentlessly sharing the love of Jesus.
More from Jarrid
Wilson or visit Jarrid at http://JarridWilson.com
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