THE NEED FOR REPENTANCE

THE NEED FOR REPENTANCE!

Matt 3:7-8

7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?

8 Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:

           The Pharisees and Sadducees came to John Baptist’s river baptism, I think, because they were interested in adding one more ritual to their list of do’s and don’ts. The literal translation of the word Pharisee is “separated ones.” These were the ones who thought themselves to be holier than others. Their righteousness was a result of their good works.

           While the Pharisees were commoners, the Sadducees were aristocrats including some priests. They were compromisers who cared nothing for religion and, in fact, denied most things supernatural including angels and any resurrection. Their reward was in this life and that was their focus.

           There are three steps to true repentance. First, there must be a recognition of personal sin. The Law served to convince man that he is a sinner. It is our schoolmaster teaching us the specific ways in which we fall short of God’s ideal. Second, there must be a deep feeling of regret and remorse for our wrongdoing. David prayed “my sin is ever before me.” In other words, his sin was always on his mind. It haunted him. Thirdly, there must be a change of mind which produces a change in behavior. Sorrow of heart is of no use unless it produces a change.

           One of the Old Testament images of repentance is to pant or to sigh. “As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.” (Ps 42:1) If your heart longs for reconciliation with and refreshment from God then you are at the entry way of repentance. If you sigh in frustration because you have failed God then you are ripe for repentance and reconciliation.

Isa 55:7

7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

Dear Lord, let those who are tired of their sin resort to you today. AMEN