The whole of March was in Lent in 2012, so all of our bible passages dealt with repentance, which is the path to joy (Luke 15). We seek to take responsibility for our own actions (Ezekiel 18), to have genuine Godly sorrow (2Cor7) and a change in our thoughts (Acts 8). We know that this will result in having hearts for God (Psalm 51) and give rise to changes that will last (Jeremiah 34). We know that we will be empowered to change from luke warm to hot (Revelation 3) in the way we walk the walk (Luke 3).
- In Jeremiah 34, God says to the people of Judah that “Recently you repented and did what is right in my sight … but now you have turned round and profaned my name”. We seek to learn from the mistakes of others and ensure that when we repent we experience change that lasts.
- Repentance in Psalm 51 begins with coming to the God of steadfast love and savouring how good this is. This gives rise to an understanding of how brokenness our hearts really are. This in turn leads to genuine contrition which is shown by a desire to be washed clean by God, a desire to be taught a new and lovely way to behave, and a desire for God to create in us pure hearts for God. This is mirrored in Valjean’s soliloquy from Les Miserables.
- While it is true that the sins of parents have an impact on their children, it is possible that in our culture we need to take responsibility more for our own actions. In Ezekiel 18 God says “Therefore, O house of Israel, I will judge you, each one according to his ways, declares the Sovereign LORD. Repent! Turn away from all your offences; then sin will not be your downfall”.
- If we are honest much of our “repentance” is self pity at having to deal with the consequences of our sins, which may be a start, but not all there is to turning to God. Good Grief is a mixture of allowing God to “get to” us, and allowing things that are not right to get to us. We are reminded in 2 Corinthins 7:2-13a that “Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.”
- Of the three parables in Luke 15 (the lost sheep, the lost coin and the lost son), the least popular in this church was the lost coin. It is a strange parable, for the coin seems to do no repenting at all, and yet it ends with “there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents”. However it comes after Jesus has been criticised for welcoming sinners and eating with him. The criticism is presumably based on the fact that Jesus’ grace looks like waste, given that the sinners don’t look as though they are ever going to repent. Jesus is teaching here that heaven is full of grace. The implication is that if you view grace as waste, you’ll be in the other place. The difference between Grace and Waste is the difference between Heaven and Hell. If you have a mathematical disposition then: G - W = H - ϕ. Grace which brings about repentance is the Path to Joy.
- A change of heart leads to a change in actions. Having repented, we must walk the walk. In Luke 3:1-18 John the Baptist calls people to “Produce fruit in keeping with repentance”. It is interesting to note that all the examples are to do with our possessions. It is interesting to note that all the actions which John the Baptist asks people to do as a sign of their repentance are related to possessions (clothing, food and money) and being content with what you have.
- While repentance covers turning away from bad actions to good actions, it also covers our general attitudes. In Revelation 3:14-22 the Son of Man encourages one group of Christians (in Laodicea) to change from luke warm to hot. He says “So, because you are lukewarm— neither hot nor cold— I am about to spit you out of my mouth”. Heniz cream of tomato soup is not best served frozen or at room temperature. It needs to be hot. God wants us to be hot. He knows that we are hot, luke warm or cold by our deeds. Having a cold reaction to God is better than being luke warm - at least it is a reaction and God can work in that relationship with us. The key is to let God in. He stands at the door and knocks. And this applies to Christians. We come up with every idea under the sun to delay letting Jesus in (e.g. I must tidy up my life). Jesus wants to come in and eat with us. Bon appetite. .
- One of the ways in which we take responsibility (see Ezekiel 18, above) for ourselves, is by taking responsibility for our thoughts. Thoughts don’t just happen. We choose to allow ourselves to go down particular trains of thought. We are challenged in Acts 8:9-25 (Thu 29 Mar) to change our thoughts, just as Simon the magician was challenged by Peter to ”Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord. Perhaps he will forgive you for having such a thought in your heart.”