Repent

Repentance (PT 1)

It is with great sorrow that I must admit that there are many things in my life I wish I had not done.  Yes, I have repented and know that God has forgiven. Yet, still, if I could go back, I would like to think I would do things differently.  Oh, what pain and suffering I could avoid.  If I could show my children one thing it would be the needless troubles I brought on myself.  And the joy of serving God. If I could only say one thing to my kids it would be this, follow the Lord with all your heart.  

The wonderful thing is God knows what we need most.

“From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”

Matthew 4:17 NIV

Matthew tells us that Jesus began His preaching with this very message.  John cried out in the wilderness, “Repent” Matt. 3:2.  In His mercy, our Father looked down on us and saw our greatest need.  Repentance is pure gospel grace. Repentance is the road to freedom.  The repentant sinner is purchased by Christ’s blood.  And yet even the act of our repentance is a mercy of God. One of the last things Jesus told His disciples before His ascension into heaven is this,

“and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.”

Luke 24:47 NIV

So, if Jesus started and finished His ministry with, ‘repentance’ as the message then maybe there is something to see in this word.  For us to be repentant we need a clear understanding of what it means. 

And for my kids, this last parting thought.  If I could do it all over again I would give everything I had for Christ.  And I would lose nothing.  So as I can not do it over, I pray that God gives me the strength from today to give everything I am, to Him.  For you my children I pray the same. Don’t waste your life but live it for something that will last.