"So, it was when Ahab heard those words that he tore his clothes and put sackcloth on his body, and fasted and lay in sackcloth, and went about mourning. And the word of the Lord came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying "See how Ahab has humbled himself before Me, I will not bring the calamity in his days. In the days of his son I will bring the calamity on his house."" 1 Kings 21:27-29. NKJV
Google defines "Repentance" as the act of having sincere regret or remorse. This is not something we are unfamiliar with, however I believe it is something most of us do not fully understand. That is what struck me earlier this year when I read the passage above. It was difficult to reconcile the practice of repentance then with what we have today. How repentance is typically practiced these days does not reflect the dejection and humility that is depicted in the Bible. Yes, even in the New Testament (Peter, Saul).
Job 42:6 "Therefore I abhor myself and repent in dust and ashes." NKJV
These feelings are echoed throughout God's Word by people deeply sorry for sinning against God. The very popular Psalm 51 is a beautiful and quite detailed expression of such true remorse. Therefore, based on what I've read so far in the Bible, I have come to the conclusion that true repentance cannot be void of the following three things:
1. Specifically recognizing the sin
2. Humbly admitting that sin before God (and when necessary man)
3. Performing external actions that reflect the feelings of remorse (making amends, making changes etc)
True repentance is an indispensable requirement for forgiveness. Therefore it is scary to think about how we trivialize it and thus even risk our salvation! Let us try to keep in mind how much God is moved by sincere repentant hearts. Remember King Ahab and all the evil he and his wife Jezebel did? In spite of that when he turned to God in repentance (1 Kings 21:27-29), God heard him and favored him.
I do not know about you, but meditating on some of these passages made me realize how much I take God for granted. How I can sometimes assume I am sorry but in sincerity lack those true feelings of remorse and regret. I was forced to reconsider my approach to repentance. I was forced to admit that saying a hurried "I'm sorry Jesus" was not enough. We cannot lie to God, He always knows when those words do not mirror the state of our hearts.
I urge you to reflect today on how you repent. When Job talks of an abhorrence of his sinful self, does that resonate with you? What is your attitude towards repentance? How do your outward actions reflect your inner state of sincere remorse?
God help us.
Google defines "Repentance" as the act of having sincere regret or remorse. This is not something we are unfamiliar with, however I believe it is something most of us do not fully understand. That is what struck me earlier this year when I read the passage above. It was difficult to reconcile the practice of repentance then with what we have today. How repentance is typically practiced these days does not reflect the dejection and humility that is depicted in the Bible. Yes, even in the New Testament (Peter, Saul).
Job 42:6 "Therefore I abhor myself and repent in dust and ashes." NKJV
These feelings are echoed throughout God's Word by people deeply sorry for sinning against God. The very popular Psalm 51 is a beautiful and quite detailed expression of such true remorse. Therefore, based on what I've read so far in the Bible, I have come to the conclusion that true repentance cannot be void of the following three things:
1. Specifically recognizing the sin
2. Humbly admitting that sin before God (and when necessary man)
3. Performing external actions that reflect the feelings of remorse (making amends, making changes etc)
True repentance is an indispensable requirement for forgiveness. Therefore it is scary to think about how we trivialize it and thus even risk our salvation! Let us try to keep in mind how much God is moved by sincere repentant hearts. Remember King Ahab and all the evil he and his wife Jezebel did? In spite of that when he turned to God in repentance (1 Kings 21:27-29), God heard him and favored him.
I do not know about you, but meditating on some of these passages made me realize how much I take God for granted. How I can sometimes assume I am sorry but in sincerity lack those true feelings of remorse and regret. I was forced to reconsider my approach to repentance. I was forced to admit that saying a hurried "I'm sorry Jesus" was not enough. We cannot lie to God, He always knows when those words do not mirror the state of our hearts.
I urge you to reflect today on how you repent. When Job talks of an abhorrence of his sinful self, does that resonate with you? What is your attitude towards repentance? How do your outward actions reflect your inner state of sincere remorse?
God help us.
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