SINCE I AM A CHRISTIAN, DO I HAVE A NEED FOR REPENTANCE?

SCRIPTURE:
I have strayed like a lost sheep. Seek your servant,
for I have not forgotten your commands. 
(Psalms 119:176)

MEDITATION:
There is only One who knows us well enough 
to provide exactly what we need, at exactly the right time.
Whenever the Psalmist had problems, 
he knew that God was the One he needed to go to first.

He also knew of his own failures, and how he was not 
living as close to God as he should be - if he truly loved Him.
He knew God’s commands, but had chosen to ignore them, 
which resulted in his wandering away from Him.
We can sense his repentant heart when we see how he communicated with God.

He cried out to the Lord, and asked for a better understanding of His Word.
May my cry come before you, LORD;
give me understanding according to your word. (Psalms 119:169)

He asked that his prayers would be heard by God as he requested deliverance 
(which is the promise from God in His Word for those who are repentant).
May my supplication come before you; 
deliver me according to your promise. (Psalms 119:170)

When we are truly repentant, it means we have made a decision 
to go in the opposite direction from where we have been going.
In other words, if we have been choosing to do something ungodly
(regardless of how God feels about it),
then we resolve to avoid it completely going forward.

When determining what is displeasing to God, we can search the scriptures, 
and we can ask ourselves, “Would I be doing this if Jesus 
was sitting in the room with me, and would I offer it to Him?”

He praised Him for being his God 
and asked Him to teach him the consequences of his sinful actions.
May my lips overflow with praise, 
for you teach me your decrees. (Psalms 119:171)

He sang songs to God, and rejoiced that His commands were fair.
May my tongue sing of your word,
for all your commands are righteous. (Psalms 119:172)

As a result of his choosing to repent and obey His guidelines, 
he asked God for His help.
May your hand be ready to help me, 
for I have chosen your precepts. (Psalms 119:173)

He developed a new appreciation for God’s laws,
and wanted assurance of his salvation.
I long for your salvation, LORD, 
and your law gives me delight. (Psalms 119:174)

We see the effects of his true repentance – he wanted to live in a new way 
that would be governed by God’s laws, and would bring praise to Him. 
Let me live that I may praise you, 
and may your laws sustain me. (Psalms 119:175)

ACTION:
Perhaps you have drifted away from the Lord 
and allowed things into your life that are displeasing to Him.
In your heart you know they are wrong, but you may have 
cleverly justified them so you could fulfill your selfish desires.

It could be a bad habit (alcohol, drugs, pornography, anger, lying, etc.), 
an illicit affair (fornication - that not only affects you, 
but is embarrassing to family members and causes others to question 
your relationship with the Lord), 
or anything else outside of God’s guidelines for those who love Him.

How do you know you love Him? The Bible answers that question:
“If you love me, keep my commands.” (John 14:15)
If you are not living as close to the Lord as you should be, 
then do what the Psalmist did – repent and make an honest decision 
to follow the path He has created for all believers.

Pray,
“Heavenly Father, I no longer feel your presence as I did at one time. 
I know that You remain the same, so I admit that I have made bad 
choices that are not pleasing to You. I repent of those decisions and I 
have a new desire to prove my love for You by keeping Your commands. 
Please hear my prayers and restore the closeness that I long for, and help 
me to point others to You by the way I live. Forgive me for those I have 
damaged as a result of my sinful choices in the past. Create a joy and 
peace in my heart as I live the life You desire of me.”