Perhaps the people of Judah will repent when they hear again all the terrible things I have planned for them. Then I will be able to forgive their sins and wrongdoings.” [Jeremiah 36.3]
Once again, I am faced with the task of repentance.
We all want forgiveness. We see it lauded on t-shirts and proclaimed from pulpits regularly. Our need is for forgiveness and God's grace has provided it!
But there is a catch...
In God's brilliant plan to deal with humans (the plan to fill His Kingdom with citizens of free will - not robots), there is a simple qualifier for God's grace to apply - repentance.
Repentance is the choice of the repent-er. In plain language, by God's own design, no amount of grace can 'scale the wall' of an unrepentant heart.
Grace is God's part - it is free to us but cost God the earthly life of His one and only Son. Repentance is man's part - it is also freely given to God, but it costs man his most intimate and valuable possession, his pride. The result of this exchange is the population of the Kingdom of God.
It truly is an amazing plan.
Father, Your plan for man's salvation is good - like You are good. May You find me repentant - even if to a fault. I want nothing preventing Your forgiveness from overwhelming me!
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