REPENTANCE

Reading: Luke 24:46-47

24:46 And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:
24:47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

“Repent!” is the Bible important message. Since Adam and Eve fallen into sin, prophets proclaim “Repent”. Until the age of New Testament, John The Baptist proclaim in the desert “Repent!” (see. Luke 3:3). Also, Jesus and the apostles proclaim the same to all nations “…Repent…!” (see Mark 1:15; Acts 26:20).

“Repent!” message is important message that should proclaimed to all nations (see Luk 24:47). Not less important message, that able to be avoided or ignored. If evangelists or teachers of the bible avoid or ignore this message so that not proclaim it, means that they are not the real and true evangelist and teachers before God. Also similar if Christians come to church or read the bible but avoid and ignore this message, means that people will not receive God’s promise, which is forgiveness of sins and salvation.

Repent means turn from sin, leave it and come to God (see Acts 26:20). In more complete, repent is to serve God (see I Thes 1:9). In another word, serving without repentance is serving without true basic and foundation. Repent also does not mean only stop sinning but also experiencing transformation of life from sin to the righteousness and holy. John mentioned it as “bear fruit meet for repentance” (see Mat 3:8). Paul mentioned it as “do works meet to repentance” (see Act 26:20).

Question raised, does the man who repent will not ever do or sinning again? Of course not. But those who repent have perspective, respons, feeling, habits, and behavior different against sin. As described by CS Lewis in his book Mere Christianity:

…there are two things in side myself, that always fighting with existence I have to put effort. That two things are person that similar to Animal, and person that similar to the Satan. Person that similar to the Satan is the worst….But, of course, is better to not to be the two of them.

People who repent do not like sin. Their sensitivity or sense is very high toward sin. They have feeling of guilt very high, avoiding sin, anticipate it, leave or getting out from it. The will talk about it, discuss or confess it so that be able free and go away from sin (band. II Cor 7:9-11). Means that repentance is not only changing mind but also including feeling, behavior, habits, or totality inside the man. In Greek words mentioned as metanoia and in Hebrew words mentioned as “teshuvah” that equal to return from sin to God.

People who repent will experience transformation of life from full of sin to be righteous and grow into holiness and purity in the heart from time to time. Character, habit, intimacy and friendship with God also more growing, more further and increasing time to time. Shortly, repentance is long life transformation or on and on long life before God.

So, be repent and preach the message of repentance! Not be different than that. Or, we will never receive the real and complete message from God. But even, false messages and cult will be waiting for us although it is sounds beauty, attractive and catchy. Repent!

Word of Prayer:
God thank you for today’s lesson. Help us to always be able to lives in repentance, grow near and close to you. In Jesus name. Amen.



Copyright (c) 2009 by Naek http://www.nevermissingqt.blogspot.com/