Greetings friends,
The Easter celebration is just around the corner. In some traditions, there is an emphasis on repentance in the days leading to Good Friday and Easter. For others, repentance is seen as a one time action taken at the moment of salvation. It is my belief that for most of us, repentance needs to be done daily.
I believe everyone sins at some level on a daily basis, therefore, we should not reserve special times for taking action in regard to our sin. Repentance means turning. That is, turning from our sin, and turning back toward God. It is a 180 degree shift in the direction we are going. We are either going toward God, or we are going away from him.
I believe the Bible teaches that as soon as we are made aware of sin in our life, we need to confess it to God and turn from it. Confession must be followed by repentance, or our relationship with God is broken.
Someone has been quoted as saying in regard to their sins, “I ‘fesses ’em as I does ’em!” In other words, we keep a short account in regard to our sins. For most people, this would require daily action.
Jesus preached repentance, as did John the Baptist. The apostle Paul, inspired by the Holy Spirit wrote, “First to those in Damascus, then to those in Jerusalem and in Judea, and to the Gentiles also, I preached that they should repent and turn to God and prove their repentance by their deeds” (Acts 26:20).
One final thought, true repentance will show itself through a changed life. John the Baptist told his listeners, “Produce fruit in keeping with repentance” (Luke 3:8).
Confession and repentance, they are not for just a season!
Love in Christ,
Pastor Jerry
sandhillspastor 