I don’t know about you, but I am a type-A first born child who is also a former teacher. What does this mean? It means that I like to do things the right way the first time. I am an overachiever who holds myself to a high standard. So you can imagine the struggle it has been throughout my life to realize that I will never outgrow my propensity to sin.
Though I wish that when I sinned, I could ask for forgiveness and permanently leave that sin in the past, that is not how it works. My sinful nature (though now redeemed by grace) will always lead me to sin this side of heaven. This is why I need to keep repentance at the forefront of my heart and mind. I need it daily, and so do you.
Recognize and Run
Repentance is more than merely saying sorry or being sad that you were caught. Repentance is the act of recognizing your sin, stopping in your tracks, confessing your sin to God, turning the other way, and running towards the grace and love of Christ. There is a partnership in repentance between man and God. We have to come before God in humility and a true grief over our sin. This means that we don’t make excuses or any form of justification for what we’ve done. We recognize that our sin is an offense before a holy God, and our sin causes a break in our relationship with Him. Repentance is not something that someone else can do for us or that merely performing religious activity will make up for. It is truly a change of heart, mind, and actions.
In the moment when we seek God for forgiveness, Scripture tells us that our “sins will be wiped out” so that “times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord” (Acts 3:19-20). It is a promise. Once we seek repentance, we don’t have to continue to work in order for God to forgive us. Our sin is gone. It’s wiped away. What we’re left with is immeasurable grace and the call to walk in forgiveness, freedom, and a new way of life.
This is the beauty of the Gospel. Because of Jesus’ life, death, burial, and resurrection, we who were far away from God were given the opportunity to be brought near. We can have a new life and a restored relationship with Christ. After all, God is patient wanting all to come to repentance. He longs for His children to turn from their sinful ways and towards the Son, the Messiah, Jesus Christ.
Redeemed and Redirected
This forgiveness continues throughout our relationship with Jesus because our sin nature will continue to be present this side of heaven. When we place our faith in Jesus, we are rescued from the punishment and power of sin. We will still, however, struggle with sin. But this is why Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to indwell all believers. It is the work of the Holy Spirit that convicts and guides us to see our sin for what it is in light of the grand love and sacrifice of Jesus. Though we won’t reach perfection until we are one day in the presence of Christ in heaven, we know that we have been giving the greatest means of fighting sin: the Holy Spirit.
Until then, we know that we can approach the throne of Jesus with confidence knowing that our sins are never too much for His grace (Hebrews 4:16). Now, this doesn’t mean that we can continue sinning without remorse because we have a “Get out of jail free” card with Christ’s grace (Romans 6). Rather, it means that we don’t have to live in daily fear that our sin will permanently separate us from the love of Christ (Romans 8:31-39).
Where in your life have you found yourself justifying, minimizing, or excusing your sin? Take it to Jesus today. Repentance and grace are available every day. Today can be the day to take a new step forward in your walk with Jesus one full of freedom and boldness.
