Heightened awareness

Isaiah 22:12-13 In that day the Lord God of hosts called for weeping and mourning, for baldness and wearing sackcloth; and behold, joy and gladness, killing oxen and slaughtering sheep, eating flesh and drinking wine …

I am often reminded in Scripture that we do not see sin as God sees it, and these verses reminded me yet again.  Part of God’s condemnation of Israel was based on how they responded to God’s assessment of their sinfulness.  They took it so lightly because they did not see their sin as “all that bad.”  It is only as I grow in my relationship to God that I will grow in my understanding of sin and righteousness, learning to view both from a godlier viewpoint.  I have seen that develop in my own Christian walk through the years.  After close to 70 years as a believer and follower of Christ, my understanding of God’s holiness and my own sinfulness is much keener and more sensitive and the seriousness of the matter is heightened.  My prayer for my family is that this will become true for them also, as they grow older

God's kindness

Romans 2:4b God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance.

Why is God good to us?  Why do we have so many blessings from Him?  The Bible is full of reminders of God’s love, faithfulness, mercy and goodness toward mankind.  We know He loves us even when we do not love Him.  We know that His mercy is new every morning.  We know that His faithfulness is to every generation, but why?  Why does He extend all of this to ungrateful, unloving people?  This verse in Romans 2 tells us why.  All of God’s kindness is for only one reason … to lead us to repentance.  Through the salvation that comes out of true repentance, God can have the relationship with us that He created us for.  His kindness is meant to lead us back to full fellowship with Him.

Godly grief vs. worldly grief

II Corinthians 7:10 For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death.

Recently in Sunday school we have been talking about repentance and what it means, so I was especially interested when I read and pondered this verse this morning.  One thing I had been thinking a lot about after our discussion in class was the nature of true or “real” repentance and was there true repentance outside of Christ.  Here was my answer!  Yes, in a sense there is, but repentance outside of godly grief has a totally different result.  If I am repentant in the context of my grief over my spiritual condition, that leads to repentance that produces my salvation.  As we can see in news events from around the world, worldly grief has a far more drastic result.  When I hear of riots resulting from the death of a person that a crowd considers unjust, I am seeing the result of grief from a “worldly” cause, not grief that lead to salvation.  God grief lead to no regrets … worldly grief has a totally different outcome.

The key

Acts 3:19-20 Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you …

When a person repents, they feel sorry for something, but to actually have that repentance mean anything further, there also must be a turning back, away from whatever is regretted.  The result of that repentance and turning back is astounding, when you think about it.  Your sins are blotted out, i.e., they are no longer in existence.  The presence of the Lord is in your live, i.e., your spirit is refreshed.  And the Christ, Jesus, is with you, i.e., you have encouragement and strength for daily living.  With these three things we can face any circumstances that come our way without fear or worry.  If we want a life like this, repentance and turning back is the key.

The fruit of repentance

Luke 3:8a Produce fruit in keeping with repentance.

John the Baptist was creating quite a sensation with his preaching and baptisms.  There were a lot of curious people following him in addition to the sincere ones.  He recognized the insincerity in them and was challenging that and in doing so gave us an opportunity to understand true repentance a little better.

1. True repentance puts aside any excuse for one’s pretense of righteousness on his/her own, such as heritage/background (v8b-9).
2. True repentance disregards what you have (v.11).
3. True repentance is not concerned with getting more (v.13) or with dishonesty.
4. True repentance is just that … true and honest (v14b).

When a person has true repentance it will be obvious from the results in his life.  The fruit in keeping with repentance will be fruit that will show its source