Repent Until You Are Repentant

Fools make fun of guilt, but the godly acknowledge it and seek reconciliation. [Proverbs 14.9]

How many times have we made fun of guilt?

How often have those of us, even in Christian circles, laughed off obvious sin? How frequently do we look at sin lightheartedly?

I think far too often we find pleasure in sin and embrace the fact that we are human. It is as if we find comfort in the fact that we are fallen with tendencies to sin. We are able to laugh when we acknowledge these tendencies in others. Somehow we find consolation in laughing with others about our bent on sinning.

More and more, I cannot believe Jesus laughed it off when one of His disciples looked too long at a young woman. I cannot believe Jesus thought it was funny when Judas "kept a little for himself" from the group's money. I cannot visualize Jesus grinning when Peter denied he knew Jesus.

I can only think that Jesus knew the importance of a repentant heart. I can only think that is why Jesus' ministry started off with the phrase, "Repent, for the Kingdom of God is at hand!" I can only think that is why John the Baptist's ministry was centered around the same phrase.

We are so fortunate, as New Testament believers, to have the work of Jesus Christ to rely on. But, how many of us neglect the salvation so freely given? Oh, we acknowledge Jesus as a historical fact, assuming His work covered all our "indiscretions" as if repentance was only necessary one time for us to be "saved." Yes, His work was a one-time deal, but our repentance should be daily!

Somehow we have interpreted that Jesus' once-and-for-all death, burial and resurrection on our behalf is a license for us to "be human." Nothing could be further from the truth! Jesus' work on our behalf is license for us to be LIKE HIM - not like us! Anything less than Christ-like in our lives necessitates repentance regardless of what we did yesterday, last week, last month, last year, or many years ago in accepting Christ.

Does this sound like a bummer? IT IS! What is it supposed to be? Fun? (see above Fools make fun of guilt...)

Our salvation is serious. Jesus death, burial and resurrection is serious. There is nothing funny about sin, even if everyone else is doing it! There is nothing about human indiscretions that brings a smile to God's face!

Should we not have God's attitude about sin - no matter how great or small? Should we not be repentant as a lifestyle?

Okay, for those who think I am preaching condemnation here, think again. I am not promoting condemnation, I am promoting repentance! There is a difference and there is nothing in the Bible, Old or New Testament, that indicates we should not repent when we have sinned!

Although Jesus' one-time work on the cross was sufficient for salvation for all, forever, our one-time repentance for salvation is not sufficient! The apostle Paul was quite clear that we must work out our salvation: 

Dear friends, you always followed my instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away, it is even more important. Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. [Philippians 2.12]

Does everyone have this under control in their lives? I don't think so - so, we need to repent.

We need to repent until we are repentant. Only then will we more fully comprehend the blessing of Christ in our lives. Only then will the Beatitudes taught by Jesus begin to make Kingdom sense to us. Only then will we more fully comprehend God's Kingdom plan and sovereignty in our lives. Only then, will we begin to see the Kingdom of God.

Side note: We cannot be truly thankful for grace and salvation on a daily basis if, on a daily basis, we do not exercise the repentance necessary to receive that grace and salvation! In other words, there is nothing for which to be truly thankful (the Kingdom) if we have not been first truly repentant.

Perhaps I am being too harsh here. It is possible. But I am growing increasingly more discontent with the powerlessness of the Church in the earth today (compared to what Jesus said we would be). I want to know why we are in such a condition. I realize there are more than not who are simply satisfied with things the way they are here on earth and in the Church. But I am not. I keep coming to the same conclusion: there is sin in the camp - and the more I look around, the more obvious it is.

Father, forgive me for making the work of Jesus on the cross a "get out of jail free" card. I want to be repentant. I want, like Jesus, to promote repentance. I understand, like John the Baptist and Jesus were rejected, so, anyone promoting repentance will be rejected.