Skip to main content

Reclaiming Repentance



            “Repent” is a very churchy word.  Actually, come to think of it, you do not hear the word “repent” much at church any more either.  In a day and time that sort of believes that there are no universal standards of right and wrong, a word that means “turn around and go the other way” loses some of its impact.  If any direction is fine, then why bother turning around or even thinking about where you are going, right?

            However, the Bible uses the word “repent” quite a lot (53 times in the New Testament).  “Repent for the kingdom of heaven is near” is the first idea taught by both Jesus and John the Baptist (Matthew 3:1 and 4:17).  “Repent and be baptized” is the conclusion to Peter’s first sermon in Acts 2.  We also read that, “The Lord is… patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9).  Repentance was a big deal to the early church and it ought to be for us as well.

            Part of the challenge in reclaiming repentance, though, is making sure that we understand it.  Repentance is not about punishment.  It is not about making people feel bad or ashamed about things they have done.  Repentance, rather, is about hope.  It is an on-going opportunity to examine the path we are on and to make corrections that will lead us in the way that we really want to go.

            Think of it this way:  You are doing laundry and a whole bunch of clothes gets stuck on one side the washing machine.  When the spin cycle starts, the machine starts banging and clunking, making all kinds of horrible noises.  In extreme cases, it can even start walking across the floor. What do you do when that happens?  You stop the machine, redistribute the clothes and start it again.  The newly balanced load spins quietly and efficiently.  Sin acts the same way in our lives.  It unbalances things so that neither our physical nor our spiritual lives run smoothly.  Repentance, then, is simply the act of moving things back to their proper place.  Getting things back in line so that things run smoothly again.

            Certainly repentance involves stopping some activities that we should not be involved in, or starting some things that we should be doing, but it should not be a fearful or burdensome thing.  “Repent” is not a threat, but an invitation to come back to our relationship with God.  Maybe if we saw repentance that way, we would appreciate it more and maybe even do something about it.

            Repentance is not awful.  It is an opportunity!

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Consider This: What is so Great About Grace?

If you were to drive by our house, you would see that Sara loves plants.  Our yard is full of flowers, and Sara lovingly tends every one of them. Which is why I was so afraid when she left town and put me in charge of keeping things alive. She must have been a little concerned, too, because she sent me two videos with specific instructions on how to water, when to water, and what to do.  Honestly, those first two videos helped, but the third one she sent was the one I liked most.  In that one, she said, “Please do your best. I want the yard to look good for the family reunion in two weeks.  However, if something dies, we will dig it out and pretend that it never existed!” That is what grace looks like!  Try your best, do what you can, but if it goes wrong, it will be ok. Sometimes we talk as though grace and effort are opposites.  That is not true.  They are partners. In one place, scripture asks, “What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone c...
Post a Comment
Read more

New Article: Thanksgiving in Real Time

                    Thanksgiving weekend means that many of us will spend time together with family and friends, eat a lot of food and think about what we are thankful for in our lives.   Unfortunately, after that, most will go back to their normal routines and leave thankfulness behind.                   What would happen if thanksgiving were part of our everyday life, rather than something we focused on a few times per year?   Where would we even start?                 According to Philippians 1:18-26, the apostle Paul remained joyful and thankful, even while imprisoned for his faith, by holding on to three important practic...
Post a Comment
Read more

Process Produces Progress (1 Peter)

 Dreams are good. Plans and expectations are fine. However, only by focusing on the process do we find progress.   1 Peter 1:13 tells us what to do to get to where we want to go (point 3 is my favourite!)   https://youtu.be/qyGwN_OOmCQ  
Post a Comment
Read more