One of the most commonly used words associated with Christianity is repentance. It’s a heavy, weighty, serious word. But before I lose you to another website or Facebook page, please hear me out. Repentance is simply defined by Wikipedia as “the activity of reviewing one’s actions and feeling contrition or regret for past wrongs, which is accompanied with commitment to change for the better.” John the Baptist shouted it out. Jesus proclaimed it as He walked this earth. The disciples and the Apostle Paul considered it as central to Christianity. Repentance may very well be foundational and absolute to you and your Christian faith. However, not everybody feels the same way. In fact, a popular question many modern believers are asking today is…Is it necessary to ask God for forgiveness when you knowingly have done something against His will?
Here is an interrelated thought. Why is it that we teach our small children when they have wronged another, to go and say you’re sorry for what you just did? It is because the act of physically saying “I’m sorry,” is needed to develop change. We are teaching the child to stop and realize that they have done or said something to another individual that is not acceptable. We want them to acknowledge that and apologize. Why? Because we want the best for our child and hope that they learn from their mistake. Additionally, we know that unless they pause, reflect, and apologize, they will have missed the opportunity to make things right with the other child/individual.
Let me put it into another context. If and when you have an argument with your spouse or close friend, and hurtful things are said. What will happen if there is no apology? Those hurtful words or actions will continue to linger and then grow and build even larger divisions in your relationship. They have the power to separate and distance from one another. Unless there is a physical act of apologizing, the healing cannot begin. It requires humility. Humility, or the lack thereof, is often the issue in strained relationships.
The same is true in our relationship with God. The opposite of humility is pride. Pride is the very thing that separates us from God. And yes, I realize that through the atoning shed blood of Christ, we have unlimited forgiveness. But that in no way gives us the right to think that we do not need to confess our faults to Him, or anyone else for that matter. We need to realize that the reason God established repentance is for us, not Him. Yes, God’s forgiveness is always there, but in order for us to grow in our relationship with Him and to be the best extension of Jesus to others, we must maintain an open and repentive heart. Just like we try to teach our children.
When Jesus went to the cross, the Bible says that He bore all of our sins (1 Peter 2:24). In other words, He took upon Himself the sins of the whole world. So whatever sin you have ever committed—past, present, or future, has already been paid for. That sacrifice is done—complete, and never has to be re-accomplished. However, we still have to receive it. There is only one thing that ever stands in the way of actually “receiving” God’s forgiveness. It’s called PRIDE. Pride is the only thing that ever separates us from God. Pride is also what stands in the way of our healthy relationships with others.
Our son Eric is one who’s heart has always been very sensitive in the area of repentance. If you are a parent, you know how trying it can be at times to teach your children loving obedience, and how to respect and honor those in authority. How to use respectful language and proper manners. How to treat others with love and kindness. How to be true to yourself and build healthy self-respect. These are all examples of how we should be using a healthy Biblical foundation of obedience.
One of the things that I was very strict about with our children as they were growing up, was that they never show disrespect to their mom. I believe it is the father’s responsibility to first cover and protect their wives, and then as well their children. As you can imagine, there are sure to be issues in every family that rise up between a mother and child. Our family was no exception. If I saw our children showing disrespect toward Tracy (their mom), I would not allow the conversation to go any further until the disrespect was first dealt with. I believe this is a model which should carry into all relationships in life. We should always have the right to disagree with others. As well we all should have the right to speak our mind. However, we don’t deserve to be heard if we are not first showing respect toward those we are speaking to or about. This should also hold true in matters of race, religion, or even politics. (Ouch!)
The Bible says,
“Respect your father and mother” This is the first commandment that has a promise
added: “so that all may go well with you, and you may live a long time in the land.” (Eph 6:2-3)
Love one another warmly as Christians and be eager to show respect for one another. (Rom 12:10)
“Show respect for all people [treat them honorably], love the brotherhood [of believers], fear God, honor the king.” (1 Pet 2:17)
As I said, our son Eric has always been extra sensitive in the area of repentance. To this day, if there is ever the slightest hint if there being an issue between one of us, you can be sure Eric will be circling back to insure we’re “all good.” I love that about him. And can I say, that having this quality will flow into every area and relationship in Eric’s life. It is one of the primary reasons why Eric and Jess will not end up in the divorce courts. And a major reason why their three little boys will be successful in life. And it is also why our son is so successful as a Senior Vice President in the banking industry. Friends, showing honor, and having a repentive heart is a really big deal.
There are many examples throughout the Bible where repentance was the key to a renewed relationship with the Lord. King David is a prime example. Additionally, Jesus addressed an entire fellowship of believers who needed to repent. The Church of Ephesus had been a model church. One that had obviously been very successful to the point that they were referred to as exemplar church i.e….one placed up high as if on a lamp stand. But something majorly wrong had occurred over time. Jesus said, “you don’t love me or each other as you did at first!” Then He said, “Look how far you have fallen! Turn back to me and do the works you did at first. If you don’t REPENT, I will remove your lamp stand from among the churches.” (Rev. 2: 4,5)
God has created us all as relational creatures. His desire is that we have strong, healthy, and growing relationships with Him and with each other. In order for any relationship to grow there must be openness, and honesty. Pride says, “I don’t have to apologize.” It says, “They started it. What they did was worse. I was born this way, I can’t help it.” And pride also says to The Lord, “I don’t need to talk to God about that, after all He knows my heart.” Listen, as much as I believe that the church needs to be relevant in our methods and sensitive to our culture, some things are non-negotiable. The act or action (it’s a verb) of repentance is absolutely a non-negotiable. As in any relationship, God wants us to be open and honest with Him about all things. Confession and repentance are actions of acknowledgment and humility that show the desire to change. Just acknowledge and ask for help!
Friend, If you feel you are away from the Lord right now and you need to get your relationship right with Him. Please swallow your pride and repent. If you have something between you and another—perhaps a spouse, child, parent, family member, co-worker, etc., humble yourself and repent. Repentance is for you. It frees you from pain and suffering—enabling freedom and joy. IT IS THE SECRET TO LIVING FREE. Repentance is what enables us to receive true love from the Father. Won’t you open up to Him today? May God bless you richly as you do. I KNOW HE WILL 🙂
Blessed by the Best,
Mark
See You in the River 