Repentance is a Good Gift
Two weeks ago Jason spoke out of Hebrews 6 on the foundation stone of repentance from dead works. Repentance is a changed way of thinking leading to changed actions. Towards the end he shared a thought that stuck with me: repentance is a good gift that originates from God.
“Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth.” -2 Timothy 2:25
“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” -James 1:17
Most of my Christian experience I have seen repentance not as a gift given by God, but as a battle to try as hard as possible to make myself stop doing things the bible told me I shouldn’t, but that I still secretly liked on the inside. At the end of challenging messages, repentance from sin is a dreaded but necessary moment; God wanting me to stop doing things I like in order to start doing things I don’t like (so I thought). Deep down I often believe God to be unpleasant, hard, and scary. I realized that before I could have faith in a good, pleasing, and perfect God (Romans 12:2) I need Him to grant me freedom from lies I believe (see 2 Timothy 2:26). My first need is not more faith but true repentance. Repentance leads to freedom. I had never been so excited to ask God for repentance. The next morning I wrote the following prayer:
“Father, grant me repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth. Truth sets free (John 8:31). …Thank you for granting me a renewal of mind leading to freedom.”
Later that day, I had a conversation with Jason in which he challenged me to rethink a situation Grace (my girl friend) and I were facing. She later told me that my new approach to that situation was an answer to her prayers. God granted me repentance (through Jason’s counsel) that led to greater freedom in our relationship.
Repentance is a good gift! I ask for it daily now as part of building a strong foundation in the Lord.
– Michael
Tags: Repentance, Wednesday message