April 27th, 2018

Repentance

 “He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet:

“A voice of one calling in the wilderness,
‘Prepare the way for the Lord,
    make straight paths for him.
 Every valley shall be filled in,
    every mountain and hill made low.
The crooked roads shall become straight,
    the rough ways smooth.
 And all people will see God’s salvation.’”

 John said to the crowds coming out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?  Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham.  The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.”  What should we do then?” the crowd asked.   John answered, “Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same.”   Even tax collectors came to be baptized. “Teacher,” they asked, “what should we do?”   “Don’t collect any more than you are required to,” he told them.   Then some soldiers asked him, “And what should we do?”  He replied, “Don’t extort money and don’t accuse people falsely—be content with your pay.”   The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John might possibly be the Messiah.” Lk. 3:3-15

Repentance means to change with regret accompanied by a true change of heart toward God.  It is a changing, or turning, of one’s mind from evil to good; or from worse to better.  Repentance is a result of reflection on the past and determining to turn from it to better things.  Repentance is not regret or remorse; it is an action of turning. 

Remission is the forgiveness; comes from the verb meaning “to cause to stand away, to release sins from the sinner.  It is achieved by the atoning sacrifice of Jesus.  Man cannot forgive sin, it is done by the blood and is an act of grace.

I must choose to change, to turn – and when I do, God is there to meet me with the provision of forgiveness that was secured on a cross by the blood of Jesus Christ.  The prodigal son repented when he turned around and went back home.

The people, tax collectors and soldiers lined up and asked John, “What shall we do?”  He said:  turn from greed to giving; turn from false accusation to contentment; turn from violence to peace.  This is the practical application of repentance. 

Then the people’s expectation and excitement was stirred!  The same holds true for us.  The question remains, as in verse 8, is there fruit worthy of repentance?  Are you holding onto something, said I’m sorry more times that you can remember, but not changed?  Are you sorry you got caught, stuck at regret, unaware that the great I AM stands ready to transform you?  For the last 2 weeks, the Holy Spirit has been moving and ministering in ways of peace and healing.  A diagnosis has been made of the quiet chaos in some lives, infirmity in others.  He sees your broken-heartedness.  You too may be asking today, Lord, what shall I do?  He would say to you, “Turn, choose to change, ‘come unto me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and will give you rest.’”

There is an invitation for you to come to Him, and to ask Him to change you.  Only He can do it.  If you have something you want changed, turn to God and ask Him to forgive you and to help you.