A Few Bars From The Jail

Step number four of our walk to salvation brings the real start of our transformation. Up until now we have been able to nod an easy assent to the concepts of hearing the word, applying the word and believing that we are totally lost in sin without Jesus. Now as the commercial used to go – “The Rubber Meets the Road!”

The subject for this week is REPENTANCE. That’s right the dreaded “R” word. But what does it mean to repent?

I have heard many people say repentance occurs when you are sorry – but I know some of the sorriest people in the world that haven’t repented. So, I guess that you can be very sorry for getting caught but not be penitent. Interestingly enough our word penitentiary has as it’s root word penitent – but repentance rarely occurs there either.

Repentance requires a true change of heart, a change in the core belief system about the things that a person is involved in. That is to say, we must look at our behaviors and attitudes and realign them in light of the work of Jesus and His Holy Spirit in our lives. Many people say to me I am going to change and never do this or that again – only to find themselves caught up in the same behavior all over. Still others will ask how can I change – then recoil at the idea of doing the needed work.

Jesus said in Mark 1:15, “The time has come. The Kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the Good News.” Again Jesus says in Luke 13:3, 5, “I tell you, no: unless you repent you likewise will die.” Peter after preaching to the Jews on Pentecost had this to say, “ Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of your sins” Acts 2:38

 You see repentance is scriptural and required for salvation. It requires being “Pricked to the heart” Acts 2:37a, and allowing the Holy Spirit to show us what we have done that needs turning away. We needn’t worry though, God in the person of the Holy Spirit is with us every step of the transforming way – to strengthen and encourage as we make the needed changes…

Scott