Everyday Heroes: Repenters
Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out…
Acts 3:19 (ESV)
From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
Matthew 4:17 (ESV)
The Lord is not slow to fulfill His promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.
2 Peter 3:9 (ESV)
Everyday heroes PRACTICE repentance. 'Repentance' is 'a change of mind and purpose and life' (Easton's Bible Dictionary).
Repent from what?
Laying low, going rogue, or telling lies.
Being selfish or making impulse buys.
Speaking in anger or hurting someone.
Making excuses or sneaking around.
Disrespecting a parent or elder.
Choosing the wrong path, wrong friends, or wrong goals.
What happens next?
We own up and ask God for forgiveness. We immerse ourselves in Jesus, the Word, and voila! He washes away our sins. Then we try, and try again to follow His lead, His love… and shining example.
'If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness' (1 John 1:9).
How does Jesus feel about repenters?
'There will be more joy in Heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance' (Luke 15:7).
From King David's big sin with Bathsheba… to Peter's 3-time denial of Christ, God’s Word is filled with cherished repenters. David describes it in Psalm 51:
'Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence, and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me' (v.10-11).
Peter’s repentance seemed to start, when he…
'Went outside and wept bitterly' (Matthew 26:75).
David became Israel's greatest king, and Peter became the rock of Christ’s church.
What makes repenters so special to God? I believe it's their all-out honesty, because:
'All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God' (Romans 3:23).
Therefore, when saints act 'Holier than thou' (Isaiah 65:5), they’re walking in the same hypocrisy Jesus came down from Heaven to denounce.
Actors, models, and talent for Christ:
Strange to say, the storytelling business, as in the Entertainment Industry, seeks honesty in every performance. Stranger to say, like the Ultimate King, media kings hate hypocrisy, too.
To God, better a repentant sinner, than a proud Christian who puts on a show! To the worldly kings of Entertainment, better to be an authentic sinner, than a bad actor trying to look good. YOU rise and shine by BOTH criteria.
Everyday Heroes: Repenters (Part 4)
NOTE: God is my Ghostwriter. If what I write is good, it’s from God! We’re ALL called to be actors (action stars) for Jesus. We’re ALL called to models of Jesus, and we ALL have gifts, talents, and callings from God– to multiply them in the world for His glory.
P.S. NO DEVOTION, PREACHER, or SERMON… can begin to replace personal time in the Bible. I wholeheartedly and clear-headedly recommend READING THE BIBLE DAILY.
WARNING: Don’t focus on favorite verses, because out of context, they’re often misinterpreted. I plead with you to READ AT LEAST 1 BIBLE CHAPTER DAILY. How long does it take? An average of 5 to 10 minutes!