REPENTANCE!

 

Wednesday, July 1, 2026

 

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!

 

Tuesday, June 30, 2026

 

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

 

RACING THE CLOCK!

 

Monday, June 29, 2026

 

RACING THE CLOCK!

 

Eph 5:15-17

15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,

16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.

 

          Paul sensed it and tried to instill a sense of urgency in the people of Ephesus. Jesus certainly understood the race against the clock when He said in the Garden: “What, could ye not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Matt 26:40-41

 

          Teachers sense it but drill sergeants probably sense it more keenly. Raw recruits with trendy clothes and haircuts must be reshaped into soldiers. I feel it too. Tick Tock! My time as teacher and leader was limited. There was a race against that inevitable time when I must announce to some Timothy that “I have fought a good fight and have finished my course.” I wonder if the instructor ever feels confident in the learners! It is that serious.

 

          Was I ever as uncommitted as I feel some are? Probably! I was as lazy as I dared to be, distracted by glitz and glitter, and weak in resolve. I did not change until my heart broke and even now the struggle continues.

 

          What is my hope then? It is the powerful, personal, and formative nature of the indwelling Holy Spirit. Listen to the encouragement of Jesus when he said: “when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth” John 16:13

 

Ps 71:18

18 Now also when I am old and gray-headed, O God, forsake me not; until I have shewed thy strength unto this generation, and thy power to every one that is to come.

 

Dear Lord, help me to make good use of my allotted time. AMEN