Called To Repent

 Acts 3:19


19 Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord,


Luke 5:32


32 I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.”


A vital part of the Christian’s life is repentance.  Repentance is the radical turning from one way of life to another.  The Greek word metanoia that is used in Scripture means, “a change in direction or a change in thought.”  Repentance is at the core of a Christian’s life because change is in the very DNA of a Christian’s life!  We are changed in the twinkling of an eye, we are changed from a corruptible nature to an incorruptible, we are converted from a sinner to a saint.  Repentance should never be overlooked by the Christian but embraced.  As today’s verse mentions, when a Christian embraces repentance, we become refreshed.


One of the most famous sets of Scripture in regards to repentance is the story of The Prodigal Son found in Luke 15:11-32.


The story of the Prodigal Son is one that we can all relate to and is one that is also one of the most heart warming reminders to us.  The fact that our loving Father is waiting for us to turn and head back towards Him.  Not only that, but He is looking out for us, waiting for us, and will run towards us when He sees us coming to Him. 


Have you ever been in a spot in your life where you just had enough?  Where it seems that the world around you has completely caved in and you just don’t know what to do? Have you felt like you have been in the same place the Prodigal was, in the pig sty? While it can be other reasons, one of the main reasons why a tough situation can occur in a Christians life is because of disobedience.  Sometimes God allows hard times to come upon a Christian’s life not to be cruel to them but to discipline them and get them to repent.  He does this solely for the same reasons loving parents discipline their children, because they love them and want the best for them.  God loves you and wants only the best for you.  Hebrews 12:6 is a reminder that says,


6 For whom the Lord loves He chastens,

And scourges every son whom He receives.”


Revelation 3:19


19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten.  Therefore be zealous and repent.


Ezekiel 18:32


32 For I have no pleasure in the death of one who dies,” says the Lord God. “Therefore turn and live!”


God is not a bully.  No, instead, He is a loving Father that wants to get the attention of His children before the destructiveness of sin overtakes their life.  God strives for men to repentance and wants only to have a relationship with His children.


2 Peter 3:9


9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.


God does not want any to perish.  He strives for all of us to come into repentance.  


Are you having a tough time in life right now?  Could it be because of unconfessed sin in your life?  Pray to the Lord and He will reveal these to your heart.  Repentance is a daily thing for the Christian.  We can continue to make sure we are turned and heading towards the Lord.  If there is anything in your life that you think may be hindering your relationship with God, remember the promise God gives us in 1 John 1:9,


9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.


Never be ashamed of your time of repentance either.  Sometimes the enemy will try to make us feel guilty and remind us of our past sins, even when we are turned back toward the Lord.  Don’t let that occur!  Remember the words of Luke 15:10,


10 Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”


God takes joy in those that repent!  He is not ashamed of them but proud of them.  God is proud of you in your repentance.  Repent towards Him, love Him, and walk towards Him!

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