A Model For Repentance - Part One
The instruction for a follower of Christ to repent from sins is as paramount a teaching in Scripture as is "salvation by grace through faith" (2 Chron 6:38; Ps 7:12; Matt 3:2; Mk 1:15). Yet for every believer, the act of repentance is as unnatural and difficult as is fitting a round peg into a square hole. All humans are marred by the Fall of Man (Gen 3) and thus rebel against their God and Creator. This is a biblical fact and causes us realize how difficult it is for us to remove our desires for the things of the world and lusts of the flesh.When Christ, though, ransoms a wicked heart and gives it His heart of righteousness, a believer is then called to "Repent and believe the Gospel." This has always plagued me, repentance that is. It is difficult, frustrating, guilt-ridden, and flat out hard work, or at least it seems. But I reckon it doesn't have to be. In actuality, God grants us the power for repentance. He provides the desire and foundation for repentance. Further, when we turn from evil and look to God, he makes it the joy of our heart to look on sin with disgust, just as he does.
But how?
When writing to the church at Colossae, Paul lined out for them what appears to me to be a "Model of Repentance." Now, Paul didn't label it this. Paul didn't come up with a three-point Baptist message entitled, "Four Easy Steps to the Repentance You Need" and conclude it with some emotionally driven poem or illustrative story. Rather, he simply taught what was revealed to him from Christ himself (Gal 1:12ff).
Here's what I see in the third chapter of Colossians regarding repentance:
1. Colossians 3:1-4. If we are going to be successful in our pursuit of repentance, we must "Get a Proper Focus." Our heart and mind should be set on the one who is calling us into relationship. If we have a "glancing eye" on anything else, of course we will return to the things of the world, "just as a dog returns to his vomit" (Prov 26:11). Just as Jesus taught his disciples that if they abide in Him, He will remain in them. This involves a constant, moment-by-moment intentional focus on the Lord. It's not easy, I'll throw that in right up front, but IT'S ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL TO OUR FAITH WALK.
Paul assumes that if a person "has been raised with Christ" (a way of saying, "If a person is a believer"), they must set their minds on Christ; not half of their attention, rather all of it. In other words, the believer's chief concern is Christ.
The questions to ask oneself are:
"What am I doing that pleases the Lord right now, through the day, and in the future?"
"What am I not doing that I ought to be?"
"Are my prayers filled with the wonder and glory of God or are they consumed with self needs?"
"Do the words of my mouth consistently honor my Lord?"
"If called upon, at any moment, could I give a defense for the hope I have in Christ"?
"Is my life consumed with a passion for spreading the glory of God?"
And so forth and so on . . .
Listen, we've got to get past this base and perverse view of Christianity that has reeked havoc on the faith in the latter part of the 20 century and the 21st century. Namely, the idea of "once saved always saved" gives me the right to do whatever I want and expect Heaven in the end.
Don't mock it, no one admits it aloud, but the majority of Christians I see, myself included, either all the time or at one time have affirmed it in your/our lifestyle.
"Seek the things that are above; set your minds on things that are above."
If you're not to this point, worry not, the Lord is calling you to it. He'll grant you the strength and the desire to do so. What else did Christ mean when he said, "Seek and you shall find, ask and you shall receive, knock and the door will be opened to you"?
REPENT and believe the Gospel
Grace for the Day
posted by Bryan Laramore @ 9:21 AM
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