Repent - Christian, it't time!

Repent is not a bad word!

I hate cars that break down, and mine always seem to have something wrong. Cars seem to provide me a constant opportunity to overcome my rage and impatience... Aaarruughhh!

Nowadays, you can't assume that all's well with your car... or with yourself - both need frequent repairs.

Can you see that old gas station up ahead? The name of that station and repair shop is "Repentance." It rapidly approaches as the first complete stop on the Holy Highway. Just bring your vehicle over there to what may look like an old fashioned place. Pull in... and plan to stay awhile. Now try to remember the days of the full-service gas stations and getting "the whole works": fuel, windows washed, and the oil checked. Why, someone even kicked the tires and gave a big toothy grin. That friendly total service was a matter a course... Today, it's time for you to get that long needed overhaul on yourself.

"My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin" (1 John 2:1)

We all know what sin means, "Don't cuss or chew or go out with folks that do." And since we don't chew anymore, we must not need to repent -- except that we all fall short. Sin STOPS us right where we are.

Hebrews 12:1 tells to lay aside every weight, and the sin which easily besets us. Isaiah 59:2 says, "But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you, that he will not hear" (KJV).

Sin: The influence upon the spirit of your mind that causes you to miss the mark.

It may not be in vogue to talk about sin! Nowadays we'd rather call it negative thinking or nerves. But, sin is the opposite of holiness. Sin grieves God. He hates it. Those vile thoughts, words, or deeds oppose God and cause you to lose your sensitivity to the spiritual life. Sin determines how responsive you are to doubt and unbelief. Likewise, the reverse is true; your nearness to God determines your sensitivity to spiritual things.

You may dabble or even peacefully coexistence with sin, but God still hates it. The Greek word for "sin" means to "MISS THE MARK." To live in sin is absolutely contrary to God's purposes. A productive spiritual life requires more than passive indifference. Success demands continuous repentance. Waiting for God's blessing without repentance is like expecting to win the lottery without buying a ticket. (I'm not telling you to play the lottery, just giving you an example of the necessity to keep on repenting.)

If you could put the benefits of repentance in a pill, it would replace Prozac --now the #1 prescription medication in the world. Repentance makes you steadily progress forward with a permanent awareness of right choices -- becoming hooked --that is, on becoming all you can be. So, don't be so quick to roll your eyes and groan because you don't have the discipline to make right choices. Neither does anyone else -- they're just people who do it anyway. You see, repentance is an action, not a feeling.

Truth is, there's an impressive benefit to repentance. People who stay in steady repentance don't have a problem with lack of will power -- they don't need it. Good behavior becomes a habit for them... like brushing their teeth. They no longer need to make constant conscious decisions to do the right thing. They just get up and DO it. And they feel great about it. This process of repentance is the reality of prosperous living.

You can't wait to pray until you have time. Any time you pray must be taken. And by the way, don't repent for not praying six hours a day. Start by taking 30 minutes a day to pray and study. Wimpy? Nope. If you're a new believer, you must set reasonable goals that you can live with -- not just for a few days but for a lifetime. Just don't count the 10 minutes you took looking for your Bible and the 5 on the telephone. The key is to set yourself up to be successful. You'll soon see that any form of routine makes you feel good about your progress. After a while, you'll be strong enough to increase your regimen.

Repentance doesn't mean deprivation - sure, there are some impulses you aren't going to follow -- but repentance improves your life. It's a sign that you intend to keep the commitments that you know are correct. Who wouldn't want to live up to full potential? Who doesn't want a lion-free roadway?

Repentance causes us to regain our yoke of covenant with the Lord. Remember that we said that Israel was harnessed together? God wanted them to all go His way, in the same direction, following the cloud and pillar of fire. How tiring it would be to pull in two different ways (trying to go one way, while God goes the other). Sin pulls us the wrong way and keeps life from flowing out. 2 Corinthians 6:14 reminds us, "Do not be unequally yoked (coupled together to work, balanced)... For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion (koininea - fellowship) has light with darkness?" (NKJ). What does life have in common with death? Why would we desire fellowship with the enemy?

• Because of His love, we're able to repent.
• There's no detour here, we must repent.

Secret sins can't be hidden. They mean certain defeat (Josh. 7).

Perhaps you may think that there's nothing to repent about any more. James tells us that to know what's right and then not do it is sin. So then, we can define sin as doing what we want to do, going our own way, and missing the mark. Maybe we're no longer switching price tags at the department store, or cheating on our mates. Nonetheless, if we exist for ourselves, then that's the supreme sin.

And - surprise! It's time for you to get serious about daily repentance. Don't be common, ordinary, or naughty just because it makes you popular. It'stime to pull back, to be unsurpassed in loving Him with a "different spirit." Repentance is the process of deciding to not be yoked with ungodly ways and rebellion. God won't compromise with sin. The Holy One absolutely won't tolerate un-holiness. Therefore, repentance must be your continual lifestyle.

We need to keep our accounts short. Repentance means, "Admit it and quit it!" If we "miss the mark," we become restless, bored, and full of empty words. Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, unless you repent, you will all likewise perish" (Lk.13:3-5). Be assured that our Holy God no longer winks at transgressions (Acts 17:30), but He always faithfully forgives. Remember though, God only forgives sin as we confess and repent.

Repentance acknowledges our sin with sincere confession, regret, and a change of character. Repentance produces calm in misfortune, endurance when wronged, and pardon amid unkindness. When we comprehend the total holiness of God, suddenly we realize the appalling consequences of our behavior. We can encounter His love by turning to His ways once again.

Sin is not just missing the mark, but it's missing the Kingdom. It's living in death instead of living in Life.

Lukewarm, complacent Christians never touch nations. Only purity can turn a generation already heartsick (Prov. 13:12) from hearing empty words from an uninspired religion that has become common and mundane.

My friend... we need to be ministers that are flames of fire, refined seven times, blazing with veracity, and zeal.

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Let's learn together and build the Third Day Church!

Thanx. Your online pastor, Dr. Kluane Spake