Repentance

There are two important parts of “The Gospel call”: repent and believe.

While salvation is completely accomplished by God, the Holy Spirit works in our heart to bring about the right response.

When our hearts are ready, we respond to the Gospel with conviction. We feel our sin and the deep sadness of what it has done – separated us from God. Our hearts are broken over the realization of what Christ had to go through to fix that separation. We become immensely grateful that there is a way for us to have a relationship with God, free of sin.

We don’t merely acknowledge sin or dislike it in part, but with open hands, we ask God to take it in exchange for Christ’s righteousness. We leave behind our life of sin in exchange for a life of pursuing holiness for the glory of God.

This is not done to earn God’s favor. We realize we could never do that on our own. Nor is true repentance merely an “I’m sorry I got caught” or an attempt to appease God’s wrath – “I’ll be good this time, really!”

True repentance is an acknowledgment that I have sinned against Holy God, and because of Christ’s sinless sacrifice, God has forgiven me.

While I will still struggle with sin in this world, still fall short on a daily basis, rather than driving me to despair, this will point me to the cross. And soon all sin and it’s consequences shall pass. For all of eternity, there will be perfect fellowship between God and His people.

Jesus’s blood paid for my sin debt, so just as I repent with brokenness, I also repent with great hope – sure, steadfast, abiding hope that reminds me I am a new creation.

As the Psalmist says: “Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man against whom the LORD counts no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit.” Psalms 32:1-2

Forgiven and set free from the bondage of sin! Because of God, I can truly repent: I can go and pursue sin no more. Thank you, Lord!