Repentance Towards God

"...Repent, therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord..." -- Acts 3:19

Peter was preaching to a crowd of unrepentant Jews when he said this to them. Peter was an eyewitness to the glory of Christ. He was witness to the betrayal of Him in the garden at the hands of Judas; and he was witness to the horror of His crucifixion. Peter I think often gets a bad rep for being the first to open his mouth without thinking. He often said things that were better left unsaid. However, one thing is sure -- he was always the first disciple to jump into treacherous waters at the sighting of His Lord and God. Jesus saw and knew this about Peter; aside from his sharp tongue. Peter had denied three times that he even knew who Jesus was when He was apprehended. As Jesus is standing before the High Priest for questioning, Peter, being antagonized by those around him who swore he was one of Jesus' disciples, denied Him with cursing that he even knew who He was. This was no surprise to Jesus. He had already foretold this earlier that very night. Peter was bold to speak; but when faced with the reality of a dire situation, faltered and fell. Denying the very Lord that was going to the cross for your sin wasn't, in my mind anyway, any worse than what Judas had done. Both offences were I think, equally as horrible as the other. The difference was in the response of these two men. One sought repentance; the other was merely remorseful. But if you're familiar with scripture, you will know that mere remorse for wrongdoing does not forgive sin. Only Jesus can. One can be remorseful over something that they did, but it wouldn't change the way that they lived. Remorse isn't an act of departing or changing one's own evil ways, it is simply an unpleasant feeling for doing wrong. This is a natural consequence. We all feel relatively bad when we do wrong. And it is possible to feel bad for doing wrong, but over time, become so calloused due to repetitiveness of habitual sin that one may no longer feel that sting of guilt that comes as a consequence. Dying in sin means certain death. This is where repentance is so important as opposed to just feeling sorry for our actions. The Lord says through Paul in 2 Corinthians 7:10, "...for Godly sorrow works repentance to salvation not to be repented of, but the sorrow of the world works death...". There is a difference between repentance and remorse. One is able to make you wise, and bring you to a place where the Lord can then work with a contrite heart; and the other, to a place the end is destruction. There is no hope apart from the slavation of God. When a man sees the reality of his sinfulness, and his spiritual condition before God, it's then that he is brought to a place where there is nothing else to do but fall down on his knees before a Righteous and Holy God. Repentance is, as C.S. Lewis put it so eloquently in his book "Mere Christianity", "...no fun at all..." For it requires a "laying down of our arms", which were once so hostily held against God. When we were born, we were born into sin. Your sin might be a bit different then my sin, but we are all sinners just the same. But though we were all born with a sin nature, our sinful habits or addictions were not a part of us from the start; they had to be cultivated. There is sin in the world; and it appeals to our inner sinful desires which are already there; we just choose to play with it, and pursue it further. And so we fall, giving into the lusts of our hearts. Sin is pleasurable. Sin is appealing. Sin on the outside, is harmless. But it's as if we drink poison from a canned drink labeled "Grape Juice". The innocent and delicious proclamation on the outside does not negate the evil contents and trouble on the inside. Sin will, as I once heard it said, "always start out being fun". But it's end is anything but. Sin will rob, kill, and destroy. It will damage testimonies, and it will destroy relationships. The destructiveness of sin knows no limits. It never says "enough". Well, the only other option is to turn from it. And this cannot be accomplished by simply feeling sorry for it, though we should feel sorry for it. But it must be accompanied by a change in behaviour. Not one that takes place on the outside; a simple modification of behaviour...but it must happen on the inside. When the Lord convicts a person of their sin, it's an opportunity for repentance He has given. As long as there is breath in a person's body, there is still hope. A man's heart must be changed, and Jesus is that Man for the job. He is able to take a filthy, rotten heart, and make it clean. This does not mean that a man will never again commit sin. We all struggle with sin. Unfortunately, we are sinful; and we will always continue throughout our entire lives be waging a war against our flesh. But do not pursue the things of the flesh; pursure the things of the Spirit. We must set our hearts and minds on Jesus. This will take focus, determination, and resolve. It will not be easy. And living in a world where sin is around every corner and lurking in the most innocent of places, it becomes harder still. And even so, because we love it. But with Christ dwelling within our hearts, we are given that extra boost -- that strength He gives us to overcome. As it's been said before, repentance is no fun at all. It means not doing what we desire, and placing ourselves in submission to the will of another; Jesus Christ. Doing what He commands. Forsaking wickedness, and practicing that which is right. But just as our sinful habits had to be cultivated, so also repentance towards God and a life of righteousness must also be cultivated. And there will be times when a man in Christ may fall. But a righteous man may fall seven times and get back up again, but the wicked will perish. The wicked perish because they pursue sin and evil to their death; never coming to the knowledge of the truth and obtaining salvation in Christ. But those who are in Christ, though they be sinners, pursure that which is right; and are made less likely to fall. Jesus will protect us; and there is always the opportunity to turn away -- and to make the right decision. Repentance in and of itself, does not save a man; but the Lord always saves the person that repents. And repentance towards the Lord is the remedy for a sin sick soul. The Lord knows what is good for us. He knows all that would do us good. Repentance is no different. Sin might be pleasing, but it is passing. Momentary appeasement for our evil desires, then nothing but guilt, condemnation, and emptiness that follows. Do we not think that the Lord knew this to be the case? And isn't He simply trying to keep us from those very things? In addition to all the bad consequences that may follow as a result? It is not worth it. Sin will never satisfy; it will only breed discontentment, and a desire for more. Feeding a life of sin will only mean an increased appetite, and a diminished return. Only Jesus will satisfy. Only Jesus can give us security. Repentance is necessary; it is commanded. And it is commanded for our own good. The Lord is watching out for us. Repentance takes work; and it requires commitment to follow Jesus and to do His will. The good news is that we are not alone. All have sinned, and all have fallen short of the glory of God. Lift one another up, and strengthen each other. Fight the good fight; strive against sin, and stay in the Word. The blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin. Jesus is the One to whom belong the glory and honor and praise. Jesus is the One who forgives all our transgressions. Jesus has paid our debt; now we are free from the penalty of sin, and free to live for Him. And it is He who gives us the power and the strength to overcome, and to stand strong against temptation. If we are in Christ, we are His...and if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father; Jesus Christ. And He Himself, is the propitiation for our sins. For ours, and for the world. Forgiveness and salvation are available to all men. But only those who come are partakers of it. Just as only those who drink water are quenched of their thirst. Repentance is not an effort to God; it is simply the result of a contrite heart before the Lord. And if you cry out to the Lord, He will surely hear you. And all your sins He desires to forgive, and wash away. He wants to pull us up out of the pit we've dug for ourselves; His hand is reaching down for us, but are we willing to reach back and take hold of Him? Just as the recovery process of a surgery isn't a very pleasant thing to go through, the undoing of our sinful ways won't be pleasant either. But it is healing and refreshing in the end. May we ever live in the grace and mercy of our God who gave Himself for us and made salvation possible.

"There were present at that season some who told Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And Jesus answered and said to them, “Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered such things? I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish. Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse sinners than all other men who dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.”" -- (Luke 13:1-5 NKJV).

"...Repent, therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from that presence of the Lord..." -- Acts 3:19

The Importance of Christ's Resurrection

...nearly three days have passed since the crucifixion of the One Man whom eleven men thought would be the Messiah. On the eve of the night He was apprehended, He was with them in the upper room sharing what would be their last supper together. A quaint, queit evening with their Master. They had traveled with Him for the last three years or so, learning from Him, witnessing right in front of them wonders that the world had never known. This Man sought them out for Himself, beckoning them "come to Me, and I will make you fishers of men". And so they did, and followed Him. He told them many things. Some things were easily understood. But many other things, not so easliy. He was more than willing to explain to them the mysteries of this Kingdom of God of which He spoke. He wasn't like any man they had ever met before...there was something different about Him. Maybe it was the way He carried Himself...perhaps it was the way He spoke with authority to the ones who labeled Him an evildoer...He demonstrated on numerous occasions that wherever He was from, it was not of this world. He healed those who suffered from illnesses and infirmities...many of whom at the time, had no other hope of recovery.
He showed the people of Jerusalem openly, that he had power over the elements, and over nature...It was only a short time before that they had seen Him coming towards them...a ghost maybe? No, it's their teacher...and He's walking...on the water. Oh, He sure seemed to be a native of Galilee...He didn't have very much. Nothing as a matter of fact. His hometown was hardly a spot on Mediterrainian map. But can anything good come out Galilee?...Oh, and I would be foolish to forget to mention that with a single wave of His hand, the storm His disciples thought would make an end of them, came to a calm...stilled...silenced. Even the wind and the waves obey Him. Who is this Man who says to us "follow Me"? His claims in and of themselves were absolute in their nature. Who does this guy make Himself to be, anyway? He had told Nathaniel nearly three years before that heaven was His origin...not earth. And again, gave the same witness when he was brought before the High Preist as a blasphemer. The Jewish people of the time were a stiff-necked folk, as are the whole lot of us for that matter...On more than one occasion, they sought to take Him and throw Him off a cliff...and at other times, stone Him. But rest assured, His hour had not yet come. "Are you not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?" they asked Him...but He replied..."...Assuredly I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM".
The Pharisees had no desire for the likes of this Man. Why, He blasphemed the law of Moses, and in turn, blaspemed God! Surely this Man was worthy of death. You know the law..."You shall have no other gods before Me"...but this Man...He's accepting worship. But, say the Jews, we are of Abraham's seed! We have only one God! And this Man makes Himself to be the Son of God?...but what does Jesus say? "all men should honor the Son, just as they honor the Father". What are these words He is speaking, and why is He speaking them? He better be able to back these things up...why should we listen to Him? "I am the Way, the Truth and the Life...no man comes to the Father but by Me..."..."If you have seen Me, you have seen the Father..."..."I and My Father are one..."...Truly, no man ever spoke like this man; and no man would have ever been able to do the things that He did unless God were with Him...but now, He is gone...The disciples looked on in disbelief as their Lord and Master was apprehended in Gethsamane, bound and led away to Caiaphas for questioning...after mindless contradiction from false witnesses and unable to reach a verdict, Caiaphas asks Him, "...are you the Christ?..." Jesus, after keeping silent, said, "...I AM...". Immediately they found Him guilty of death...and they beat Him in the synagogue. Legally however, they could not put Him to death...so in an effort to rid themselves of this Troublemaker, they had led Him to Pilate...who also after questioning himself, found no fault in Him...and Herod was no different. In an effort to appease the bloodlust of the crowd, Pilate had Jesus flogged...and, unable to find a loophole, for fear of the people and of Caesar, Pilate handed Jesus over to the Roman soldiers to be executed, after he sought to let Him go, though unsuccessfully.
It was at Golgotha where the turning point of history took place...a battered and bloody Man, stripped naked of His clothes...covered in lacerations, resulting from the blows of the flagrum...exhausted, swollen, and disfigured, laid Himself down on the cross as Roman soldiers drove spikes through His wrists and feet...sending a pulsating shock throughout His limbs... But this cannot be! He was the King of Israel...the promised Messiah! He can't die! But alas, Jesus hung in agony for nine hours...fighting for every breath as the cross itself run down to the base with blood...
"...It...is...finished...." Jesus says, just barely above a whisper...and with that, breathes His last, and yields His Spirit. Jesus had died....then a rumbling...from a distance it seems...then closer...now the ground is shaking violently. The earth is quaking...unknown at the time to the officers who had nailed Him just hours earlier, the veil of the temple hasd been torn in two. Jesus had interceded for all men throughout all time..."...surely, this was the Son of God.." proclaims one of the centurions...
He was laid in a tomb...no longer did the disciples have their Lord and Master with them...this must be part of the plan...it has to be...they trusted this Man...He came proclaiming the Kingdom of God, and that He would bring salvation...and rescue those who were in captivity...but He was taken by sinful men and slaughtered...
...if only they knew the sciptures, and the power of God...
"...but we trusted that it had been He which should have redeemed Israel; and beside all this, today is the third day since these things were done..."...(Luke 24:21)...the people said...
"O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken; Ought not the Christ to have suffered such things, and to enter into His glory?..." (Luke 24:25,26)...says Jesus as He appears to some disciples on the road to Emmaus...
It was impossible for death to have any hold on the Lord of heaven and earth. He is King...He is Life and the Giver of life...there is no grave that could hold Him. Jesus came as a Man; perfect, pure, and pristine...Jesus was the sinless Son of God...absolutely flawless is every way...an offering for sin straight from the courts of heaven. It was He of whom Moses and the prophets wrote of...it was He who declared milleniums before that he would come, and offer up Himself for the sins of the world. God came down to us, and taught us...He showed us the way in this fallen world, darkened through the deceitfulness of sin, and of death...He came for the purpose of death on the cross...this was His mission...this was His passion.
Everything He said, eveything that He did, banked upon whether or not He would rise again from the dead...His resurrection from the grave was His final proof to an unbelieving world that He was truly who He claimed to be...He said He would do this back in John 10:18...John 10:18 "...No man takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment I have received from my Father..."...Jesus resurrection from the dead was the verification that He is God. No man in history has ever claimed divinity, and proven it through exhibiting complete power over death itself...
God cannot be killed...God is of a truth, alive.
It was for our benefit that He died! It was for our benefit that He suffered such shame from sinners, agony, and brutality...Yes, everything Jesus did was only good and only for our good. He did all things right, and all things He did glorified His Father, and worked to bridge the gap between us and Him that we had created.
Jesus life is the focal point of earth's history. I find it difficult to believe that a Man such as Jesus would have such influence over history and time if He were a liar. He is the crux of our hope. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is the only hope the world has to cling to. Where all others have failed, Jesus succeeds. Jesus holds the preeminence in all creation. He is the preeminent One. There is nothing that can stop Him, not even death. Jesus rose from the grave, and conquered death. To those who believe on His name, death has no more hold on them. Praise God for the wonderful work He wrought through His Son for us! God has given us far more than we ever deserved from Him. Oh how beautiful is this love which He bestows on us freely...that He would give Himself to save sinful wretches such as ourselves. There wasn't a thing in this world we could offer Him that would have been enough. But the cross was enough. Jesus was enough. We had nothing -- He had everything...and He emptied out Himself to become poor, that we might become rich in faith towards Him. His resurrection from the grave is our gaurantee that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. This world we're presently living in right now, this isn't all there is. There is a hereafter, and because of Jesus, our hope will not be cut off. Unless Jesus had risen from the dead, we'd simply exist until our ultimate demise to eternal destruction. Faith is Jesus Christ isn't blind. It makes perfect sense. Jesus makes sense. If only all men would know Him and the power of His resurrection! Without His resurrection, we are still in our sins...our faith is pointless...and we are above all men, most to be ridiculed and pitied...without His resurrection, we have no hope...

"...Now if Christ is preached that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen. 14 And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty. 15 Yes, and we are found false witnesses of God, because we have testified of God that He raised up Christ, whom He did not raise up—if in fact the dead do not rise. 16 For if the dead do not rise, then Christ is not risen. 17 And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins! 18 Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable..." -- (1 Corinthians 15:12-19 NKJV).

"...The former account I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, 2 until the day in which He was taken up, after He through the Holy Spirit had given commandments to the apostles whom He had chosen, 3 to whom He also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God..." -- (Acts 1:1-3 NKJV).

"...I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death..." -- (Revelation 1:18 NKJV).