After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. “The time has come,†he said. “The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!â€
Mark 1:14-15 (NIV)
In my studies I have noticed that God is all about three’s. Repentance is in all three levels of my being.
It is my mind. I acknowledge my sin. Every day, I get quiet and let God through His Holy Spirit turn the flashlight on my life. I picture in my mind how He looks under my bed where I don’t clean very often, in the closet of my life where I think I have locked the ugliness away, and in that forgotten corner where the cobwebs cling. “Create in me a clean heart, God.†(Psalm 51 is a good thing to pray during this time.)
It is my emotions. If I can scream and shout at a baseball game, but neither my sin that separates me from my Creator nor the moment when I realize that I am forgiven produce a tear – then I may need a emotion priority check! Have you ever choked up during a sermon or while reading a passage of Scripture? That’s God touching you! He is coming close and you are aware of the gulf between you – and He bridged the gap with Jesus! THAT’S EMOTIONAL!
It is my will. There is the center of truth in repentance. I make a determined choice to turn from sin, change my attitude about the sin and about God, and purpose to avoid the temptation of that sin.
No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. 1 Corinthians 10:13 (NIV)
Only God’s power through His Spirit can give me the resolve to be truly repentant and walk as a new person each day! Our churches are filled with people who go to church when it is convenient to their activity schedule, give their money and support church activities, and even compliment the pastor on his sermon. Talking the language of a Christian does not reflect the repentant heart. A repented heart is one that is surrendered to God and shows in everything that we do!
