REPENTANCE!

REPENTANCE!

Ps 51:1-3

51 Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.

2 Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.

3 For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.

           Merriam-Webster says that “repentance” is an intransitive verb that means “to turn from sin and dedicate oneself to the amendment of one’s life.” That’s pretty good from a non-theological source.

           Repentance has assumed a cultural transformation. Today repentance often means one of two things. [1] “Lord, I’m sorry that I got caught. I’ll be more careful in the future.” [2] “Lord, I feel guilty about this and will work harder so I can relieve myself of this guilty feeling.”

           Repentance denies certain natural tendencies and desires. Paul acknowledged the struggle of the two natures in Romans chapter 7. It is not easy to truly repent.

           Repentance means “to change your mind and amend your actions.” It requires one to agree with God regarding sin and to follow God in a new pattern of behavior.

 Jer 18:11

…return ye now every one from his evil way, and make your ways and your doings good.

Dear Lord, every day is a struggle to agree with you regarding sin and to follow you in my behavior. Please give me your Holy Spirit for guidance and your grace for cleansing. AMEN

RECONCILIATION!

RECONCILIATION!

Col 1:19-22

19 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;

20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.

21 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled

22 In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:

           The etymology of the word “reconcile” is from the late Middle English: from Old French reconcilier or Latin reconciliare, from Latin re- ‘back’ (also expressing intensive force) + conciliare ‘bring together.’

           Legally, in human relationships, reconciliation is seldom possible unless restitution has been made. If something has been stolen it should be paid back. Even so there must also be repentance, a promise never to do the wrong ever again, and forgiveness. Forgiveness is treating the offending party as if the offense had never happened. It is easy to see how difficult this is!

           When we offended God, He paid the debt himself by the death of His Son Jesus. Restitution was made, forgiveness was possible, and reconciliation then was offered to the guilty. The only thing preventing God and man from coming together is man’s refusal of God’s offer. When man refuses God’s offer, either because of a lack of faith or will, he remains in the realm of guilt and condemnation because of his choice.

1 John 1:9

9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Dear Lord, thank you for making it possible for me to be brought back and brought together with you. AMEN

CONTENTMENT IS A LEARNED BEHAVIOR!

CONTENTMENT IS A LEARNED BEHAVIOR!

Phil 4:10-13

10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity.

11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.

13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

           Paul was a vagabond preacher with no certain income. The Philippian believers had, once again, sent money and supplies. He wanted to say thank you, and did.

           Whether he had little or much, Paul was determined to do what God wanted him to do. It was a choice based on obedience and not on resources. That choice took him into the depths of want and up to the mountain peak of plenty. Whether feast or famine, it was all the same to Paul.

           Notice that he said “I have learned.” Coming to terms with the ebb and flow of material supply is a matter of trust. It is a process and often slow. He had experienced abuse and he knew how to abound. It was part of his instruction. But Paul learned one very important thing. He learned that he could count on God.

Dear Lord, I know down deep that my contentment is not based on my resources but on my relationship with You. Thank you for daily bread and daily supply. AMEN

CONSEQUENCES!

CONSEQUENCES!

Gal 6:7-9

7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

           A consequence is the cost we pay or the reward we receive from a decision we have made. We are free moral agents and not puppets of a God who pulls all the strings. While we are free to make choices those choices have accompanying consequences.

           Our text uses an agricultural analogy. If you plant corn you can’t expect watermelon as a crop. By the same analogy, we can determine your choices by observing your fruit. This is exactly what Jesus said in Matthew 7:20. “By their fruits ye shall know them.”

           This truth should cause us to be cautious regarding which life force we obey. The flesh is always demanding attention and pampering. We may give ourselves completely to the demands of the flesh but there are consequences. The Spirit – God’s Holy Spirit – is always cooing and wooing us to do right and to do well. If we listen and obey there are consequences.

           Verse 9 seems to indicate that “well doing” requires much more forethought and energy than wrong doing. We are advised not to grow weary of the effort because there are consequences and rewards.

Heb 11:24-26

24 By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter;

25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;

26 Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.

Dear Lord, help me to keep my wits about me when I make choices. AMEN

FAITH AND A GOOD CONSCIENCE!

FAITH AND A GOOD CONSCIENCE!

1 Tim 1:18-20

18 This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare;

19 Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck:

20 Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.

           Combat gear can weigh what seems to be a ton but warriors know that some pieces of equipment are absolutely essential in a fire fight. Mess kits may be abandoned and bed rolls tossed aside until the battle is over but your weapon and sufficient ammo are a must.

           Such was the instruction of Paul to young Timothy. Two pieces of spiritual equipment are essential to “war a good warfare” and those are faith and a good conscience.

           Webster's Dictionary defines the conscience as "the sense of what is right or wrong in one's conduct or motives, impelling one toward right action." The word “conscience” is the Greek word suneidesis and means “being aware of your moral condition.”

           The conscience can be “seared” by repeated exposure to the abuse of wrong decisions. “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; (1 Tim 4:1-2) It is dangerous to ignore your internal alarm! The result is shipwreck.

           Dr. Charles Stanley says that our conscience responds to “programming.” It is formed by input either good or bad. If that is so we must filter and control what we allow into our mind.

Prov 4:23

23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.

Dear Lord, I can’t trust my conscience to be my guide. Guide me by Thy Holy Spirit today. AMEN