Reviving Repentance

Dear diary,

As we continue to walk with Christ, we end up leaving a lot of things behind. One thing we cannot leave behind is repentance. When we sin or fall short of God's glorious standard, it is important to turn to God for help, deliverance, forgiveness, and understanding. Because God loves us so much, He created a way, through Jesus, that our sins can be forgiven. Through Jesus, we have a savior, but we must recognize that He is the savior and that we are indeed in need of one. Repenting from our old lives to our new ones in Christ shows that we are being transformed. It is something that must come with us in our walk with Christ.

What Is Repentance

When we start talking about repentance, we have to first talk about what it means. A lot of times, people won’t attempt to repent because they don’t actually understand what it actually entails. It has become this big mystery word that is always tossed around but rarely broken down. Let's demystify it, shall we? The Greek word for repentance is 'metanoes', which essentially means “to change one's mind”. When we come to Christ, he wants to change our sin-filled minds to a spirit-filled mind. Change our minds from being toxic to loving. Change our minds from being lustful to being pure-hearted. Change our minds from living in the world to walking in the truth. When we are born again in Christ Jesus, we are a new creation. We get a new heart! And as we walk with Christ, we gain a new mind. Repentance doesn’t have to be difficult; it just starts with a change of mind.

"Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."

Acts 2:38

Repentance Is Important To God

Don’t let the world fool you into thinking that repentance is an add-on to a meal. In multiple places in the Bible, Jesus emphasizes the importance of repenting and turning to God. In the Bible, Jesus is described as a bridegroom and his church as the bride. The true reality is that God is coming for not just any bride, but a pure, spotless bride. Matthew 22:14 says that "For many are called, but few are chosen." Are you going to be the bride that gets chosen or the bride that gets left behind? Jesus makes us righteous in the sight of God through faith in him, but we also know that the Bible states that faith without works is dead. Our works, or our actions, should be our changed life and our renewed mind in Christ -a repented life.

"No, and I tell you again that unless you repent, you will perish, too."

Luke 13:5

Make Repentance A Priority

I think it's interesting that, a lot of times, we want the most from God but give him the least of ourselves. If we were to put things into perspective, that resembles a toxic relationship. God desires all of us because of his immense love for us. The truth is, repentance costs. Jesus tells us to consider the costs before following him. And this is because when you repent, you give up your old life in the world for a new life in Christ. The wages of sin is death, but God offers us life in return if we accept Jesus. Trust me, life in Christ is more valuable than anything the world has to offer. That sin that you don’t want to let go of is not worth the relationship with our eternal king, Jesus.

"For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."

Romans 6:23

Additional Scriptures: Matthew 12:41, Ezekiel 33:12, Acts 11:18, Luke 25:47, Jude 1:4, and many more...:)

The Bible says that no one knows the day nor the hour of Christ's return. We have to be ready at all times. Repent while there is still time. God is ready to hear you, forgive you, and cleanse you through his Son, Jesus. He loves us so much.

Lord, you are so loving, forgiving, and gracious to me. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to repent. May I repent from my old way of living and live my new life in Jesus Christ. I give you all the glory and honor. Amen.

- xoxo God's Girl