BIBLE PASSAGE:
Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you,
in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.
And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
(Acts 2:38)
MEDITATION:
There are several definitions for ‘repentance’ but the one
I like the best is “to change one’s mind”. It means a change
in attitude and direction. It includes contrition, which is
“a feeling of remorse for sin and shortcoming”.
Jesus tells us that the angels in heaven
rejoice whenever a sinner repents.
In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing
in the presence of the angels of God over one
sinner who repents.” (Luke 15:10)
Why did Jesus come to walk among men?
It was to call sinners to repentance.
I have not come to call the righteous,
but sinners to repentance.” (Luke 5:32)
Of course when we read the Bible, we see that He did other
things as well. He healed the sick, comforted the downtrodden,
and showed us what love and forgiveness looks like. But all that
He did was part of His primary goal to ‘call sinners to repentance’.
When a sinner repents, he feels remorse for the sin in his or her life,
and makes a decision to go in a different direction. They no longer
want to be controlled by their sinful desires, but choose to focus on
obedience to the Lord and building a relationship with Him.
Although we have the freedom to make choices, behind our
decisions is a force that influences the choices we make.
There are only two of these forces and they are diametrically
opposed to each other. One is bent on our destruction and the
other wants what is best for us.
ACTION:
Which ‘force’ is in control of your life? Have you made
a conscious choice to become obedient to the Lord and
enjoy fellowship with Him?
Charles Spurgeon made the statement,
“If I hate sin because of the punishment,
I have not repented of my sins, I merely
regret that God is just.”
That is a strong statement, but repentance
does involve more than fear of punishment.
It is a new desire in the heart and soul of man
to truly follow our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Rather than having a desire to ‘avoid the fire’,
repentance is a desire to ‘embrace the Lord’.
And when we do, we will have a natural desire to
not only obey His commands, but to also know Him
better and cultivate His characteristics in our own lives.
Pray,
“Heavenly Father, help me to realize that my repentance
is much more than fear of punishment. Create in me a
greater desire to grow in my relationship with You and to
develop a mindset similar to the one Jesus has shown me
in the scriptures. Teach me how to replace my selfish
desires with an attitude of selflessness and a desire to
live as You want me to live so that I can fully receive
the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
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