Repentance! Part III

"Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins" Acts 5:31.

An example of repentance is shared with us from the life of David. Psalm 51 is David's cry of repentance and appeal for forgiveness after being confronted by Nathan the prophet after his affair with Bathsheba and the command that resulted in the death of Bathsheba's husband.

"Have mercy upon me, O God, according to Your loving kindness; according to the multitude of Your tender mercies, blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.

"I acknowledge my transgressions, and my sin is always before me… Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts, and in the hidden part You will make me to know wisdom.

"Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Make me hear joy and gladness that the bones You have broken may rejoice. Hide Your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities.

"Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence, and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.

"Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me by Your generous Spirit. Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, and sinners shall be converted to You. Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God, the God of my salvation, and my tongue shall sing aloud of Your righteousness. O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall show forth Your praise. For You do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give it; You do not delight in burnt offering.

"The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and a contrite heart. These, O God, You will not despise." Psalm 51:1-17.

Our Lord and Savior who gives repentance and forgiveness of sins appeals to us to open our eyes and turn away from iniquity, gross injustice that hurts people, harms relationships and destroys confidence in one another.

Jesus came to save us from such behavior and to renew our hearts to benefit and bless people. Thus, throughout scripture he appeals to us to repent and to yield ourselves to the values and gifts He has to share with us.

Repentance involves:
1. Heart felt sorrow for sin. "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and a contrite heart - These, O God, You will not despise." Ps. 51:17.

2. An acknowledgment of sin and confession to God. "For I acknowledge my transgressions and my sin is ever before me" vs. 3.

3. Yield our sins to God and forsake them. "Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow" vs. 7.
"Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me." vs. 10.

4. Walk in obedience with Christ. Paul shared an example of this with us when he wrote, "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me" Galatians 2:20.

God would have us to recognize the consequences of the choices we make in life. He encourages us to make wise and healthy choices, choices that are a blessing in our relationships with one another.

What is it that leads us to repentance? "The goodness of God leads you to repentance" Romans 2:4. Let's not dishonor Him by excusing ourselves. Repentance is acknowledging our sins to God and seeking His strength to turn away from anything that separates us from Him. He is the source of our life and our strength.

When God reveals sin to us, acknowledge it, do not excuse it, surrender it to God and let it go.

Thank you Father, for sending Jesus to save our souls!