Repentance

A very good morning to you. I greet you in Jesus’ precious name! It is Thursday morning, the 15th of September 2022, and this is your friend, Angus Buchan, with a thought for today.

If we go to Acts 20:21 - Paul says:

“…testifying to Jews, and also to Greeks, repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Repentance - I looked up the Oxford Dictionary to find the literal meaning of the word, “repentance.” It means to feel sorry for something bad that you have done. It is expressing sincere regret or remorse. You know, it was the second verse that I memorised when I became a Christian. The first one was John 3:16:

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”

The second verse that I memorised was 1 John 1:9 which says:

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 

There is a necessity for repentance. Remember, if there is no apology there is no forgiveness. We need to acknowledge that we have offended or failed because without it there can be no healing and no moving forward. We have to turn from sin towards God. What keeps us from saying sorry to the Lord? Foolish pride! 

“Oh it is not my fault”,

“I didn’t do anything wrong”, 

“It was the other person’s fault”,  

“It was my wife”, 

“It was my husband”, 

“No, no! It was my employer”. 

I want to tell you that Jesus did nothing wrong but He died on the cross of Calvary for my sin and your sin. When we say sorry it brings freedom, healing, deliverance, it brings fresh vision and it brings joy. Cast your cares upon Jesus because He cares for you. (1 Peter 5:7). When you say sorry, when you repent, it makes you feel clean. 

Just last week I preached in a church and I called people forward to confess their sins and repent. I saw unbelievable tears of healing, I saw chains of depression falling off those people. No more guilt, no more condemnation! A new beginning. Our sin has been paid for in full!

Let me pray for you:

Father, I pray in Jesus name, that even as my friend would repent today, you would set them free and free indeed.
In Jesus’ name. Amen.

God bless you and goodbye.