Discipleship 1:6
After Jesus’ temptation, He left Nazareth and departed to Galilee. From that time He began to preach and to say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has arrived.” (Matthew 4:1-17 my summation)
Repentance is a change of mind, change of heart, change of ways, and change of direction, not perfection. It is a turning from old ways and turning to a Person, that being God (through Jesus Christ) and committing to His ways. Simple, right? And yet, like any good relationship, it requires a lot of maintenance and attention.
Have you ever used a g.p.s.? We have. Usually we follow it explicity, but on return trips, when Bob knows where we are and how he wants to get home, he’ll ignore the instructions and we’ll hear, “Recalculating.” And when all hope is lost, “Turn around when possible.” The funniest is when our aid quits talking to us altogether. Apparently we ignored it one too many times. Thank God He is long-suffering and as long as we’re willing to listen, He’s willing to talk.
Luke 15:11-24 tells the story of the prodigal son. I suggest you read it and familiarize yourself with it even if you’ve read it before as it is a perfect picture of repentance. One of the verses that sticks out to me the most is verse 17 when the prodigal finally came to himself — or came to his senses. The prodigal was literally starving. He’d spent all of his inheritance on wicked living and found himself tending pigs, contemplating eating corn cobs as no one offered him anything else. It was at this time he realized that if he didn’t change his ways he was not long for this world. How did he keep from perishing? The same way we all keep from perishing.
I tell you, no; but unless you repent [change your old way of thinking, turn from your sinful ways and live changed lives], you will all likewise perish. Luke 13:3 Amp.
He decided to repent, to go home, to humble himself and beg his father to take him back as a hired servant.
What is God’s desire for us?
The Lord does not delay [as though He were unable to act] and is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is [extraordinarily] patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9 Amp.
He patiently waits for us, just as the prodigal’s father waited for him. God has wishes and one is this: that none of us would perish but that we would all repent.
And what three things implicate biblical repentance?
but I openly proclaimed first to those at Damascus, then at Jerusalem and throughout the region of Judea, and even to the Gentiles, that they should repent [change their inner self—their old way of thinking] and turn to God, doing deeds and living lives which are consistent with repentance. Acts 26:20 Amp.
Repent. Turn to God. Prove that we have truly repented by our deeds.
“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven. Many will say to Me on that day [when I judge them], ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, and driven out demons in Your name, and done many miracles in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them publicly, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me [you are banished from My presence], you who act wickedly [disregarding My commands].’ Matthew 7:21-23 Amp.
Doers of God’s will, not just the professors, will enter the kingdom of heaven. Signing a card, joining a church, being baptized, and doing all good works, does not produce salvation. Jesus told them He never knew them. Why did Jesus say this? And can we identify people in the same way? The next verse says that we can.
You can identify them by their fruit, that is, by the way they act. Can you pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? A good tree produces good fruit, and a bad tree produces bad fruit. A good tree can’t produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can’t produce good fruit. So every tree that does not produce good fruit is chopped down and thrown into the fire. Yes, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions. Matthew 7:16-20 N.L.T.
True repentance, salvation, is from the heart, not merely the lips.
According to Isaiah 55:7, the wicked must change their ways; the unrighteous must change their thoughts and return to the LORD; THEN God will have mercy and generously forgive.
The prodigal’s father is a shadow of our heavenly Father when we repent. The prodigal’s father met his son while he was still a far way off. He hugged him and kissed him; he ordered the best party robe, a ring, and sandals to be put on him; and he said to prepare the fattened calf; be happy and make merry, strike up the band and dance — they were going to PARTY! Isn’t this wonderful?
And when a sinner repents,
I tell you, in the same way there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need of repentance. Luke 15:7 Amp.
There is rejoicing in Heaven! — the saints’ forever home.
Like the prodigal’s father, God is not willing that we should be slaves either, but His children. If you have not repented and accepted Jesus as Savior and LORD, will you consider doing so now?
Perhaps you will join me in this prayer:
LORD, like the prodigal, I have gone my own way. I have been totally selfish and sinned against You. Please forgive me. I recognize Jesus as Your Son, crucified for my wickedness, risen, and seated at Your right hand. I want to be Your child, joint-heirs with Jesus, living righteously for You, bringing glory to Your kingdom and Your name. I trust You, LORD, to bring those into my life who will come alongside and help me grow in You and form me into a godly example so that I, too, may help shape others. Thank You for blotting out my sins. Thank Your for Your mercy. Thank You for making me like You. Amen.
Hope you find the laughter and the truth in the link below.
God's Word Girl 