Posts Tagged: life style change
“Repent, But Don’t Repeat!”
My wife gave me a wonderful phrase today: “Repent, but don’t repeat!”
I forget the precise context. It was quite likely some big or little thing that I had done wrong. That context might well be the source of my memory relapse. Sometimes, I find that I don’t remember because I don’t want to remember.
The Bible and the God it reveals wants people to repent. For example, 2 Peter 3:9 refers to the patience of God while God is waiting for that very thing. “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” The Greek verb that is translated “is patient” in this verse is in the present tense. The present tense in Greek often conveys ongoing or continual action. In this case, God is waiting ongoingly for us to repent. This verse is found in a passage that speaks of the ultimate judgment of planet earth and all those on it. Yet it portrays a God who is waiting with bated breath for us to come to our senses.
But notice also that repentance is not simply feeling sorry or saying you’re sorry. Repentance also involves a change in how we live—our way of life. The prophet Ezekiel, for example, is very emphatic. “Say to them, As I live, declares the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live; turn back, turn back from your evil ways, for why will you die, O house of Israel?” (33:11)
Here is a quote that I think sums it up nicely: “When Jesus said “Repent,” He was talking about a change of heart toward sin, the world, and God; an inner change that gives rise to new ways of living that exalt Christ and give evidence of the truth of the gospel.” (https://www.journal-advocate.com/2015/09/24/jesus-says-repent-and-believe/, accessed 09-13-2021)
Repent, but don’t repeat! It isn’t merely a good slogan. It contains at least two crucial aspects of being a follower of Jesus Christ.
DOWN TO EARTH BELIEVER
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- “The Process in Miracles and the Miracle of Process” March 11, 2024“2 Kings 5:1 Naaman, commander of the army of the king of Syria, was a great man with his master and in high favor, because by him the LORD had given victory to Syria. He was a mighty man of valor, but he was a leper. 2 Now the Syrians on one of their raids […]
- “The Power of Encouragement—Even for Old People” March 10, 2024“But encourage each other every day while it is ‘today.’ Help each other so none of you will become hardened because sin has tricked you.” (Hebrews 3:13, New Century Version) Yesterday, I was walking at a nearby park. There was a large group of young people some of whom were running while other young people […]
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- “Delighting in Being Told What to Do?!?” February 23, 2024“Psa. 112:1 Praise the LORD! Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who greatly delights in his commandments! 2 His offspring will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed. 3 Wealth and riches are in his house, and his righteousness endures […]
- “Character is the Real Lesson” January 19, 2024I am often confused about what lesson I’m really supposed to be learning. For example, this morning I was trying to knock out several Spanish lessons. My intentions were a lot better than my internet connection. I’ve done three lessons. Or rather, I’ve done two lessons. One of them I did twice because the internet […]
- “The Year of Becoming Un-Planked” January 1, 2024Each year, I try to come up with one word or a short phrase for what I intend to work on in the upcoming year. 2024 is “The Year of Becoming Un-Planked”. What?!! What does that even mean? So glad that you asked! Jesus said to his disciples, “Why do you look at the speck […]
- “Searching for the Noble One” December 26, 2023My wife and I were reading Luke, chapter 2 on Christmas Day. Luke 2 talks about the shepherds being told to look for this very special child—in fact, this King—in a stable. I prefer the word “barn”. I grew up on a farm. I know what a barn is. A stable is entirely too biblical […]
- “That Don’t Impress God Much” December 14, 2023DTEB, “That Don’t Impress God Much” “That Don’t Impress Me Much” (Song by Robert John Lange and Shania Twain) Micah 6:8 (MSG) “But he’s already made it plain how to live, what to do, what God is looking for in men and women. It’s quite simple: Do what is fair and just to your neighbor, be […]
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