Repentance and Restoration

What sin in your life has kept you from hearing God’s voice? To be completely honest, I didn’t want to write about a present sin struggle in my life. But as I sat here communing with God, I felt Him prompting me to write about the fear of man. 

Since I was a little girl, I’ve wrestled with chasing after the approval of others. In elementary school, I behaved the way teachers wanted me to so that I would be seen as the perfect student. In high school, I gave into peer pressure because I wanted the popular kids to accept me as their friend. Now, in my late twenties, it’s tempting to attach myself to other people’s opinions to make them feel like I’m on their side even if I’m not. 

Within the past several months, God has convicted me of fearing man rather than fearing Him. I can clearly see how my heart has turned from God and worshiped other gods instead of Him (Deuteronomy 30:17). I believe, at times, fearing man has kept me from hearing God’s voice. My mind can be so occupied with what others think of me that I forget God’s truths about me. What’s true is that I am God’s daughter (1 John 3:1), bought with a price (1 Corinthians 6:20), forgiven and free from sin (1 John 1:9), living abundantly with Him (John 10:10). For me, reminding myself of these truths is crucial when I feel convicted by sin so that I don’t sit in shame. 

Seeking Repentance

What comes after conviction is repentance. In our Deuteronomy 30, God is calling the Israelites to turn from worthless idols and trust in Him. A simple way I think about repentance is turning from sin and trusting in God. Unfortunately, the Israelites continued to struggle with repentance. Though some came back to Him as their one, true God, many of them didn’t. I believe one reason God gave us the story of the Israelites is a warning sign to live life differently than they did. 

So, what are you willing to repent from today? Is there a sin struggle God is convicting you of that you need to hand over to Him? Is there something someone has admonished you for in the past that you disregarded? Does your life reflect Christlikeness to those around you, or are you living for yourself? Whatever God might be pressing on your heart right now, lean into it. He welcomes you with open arms. If you know Jesus, you are already free from all your past, present, and future sins. But the beauty of repentance is getting to experience more of God’s loving grace. When we choose to live in obedience to His commands, we experience freedom (Galatians 5:1). 

Experiencing Restoration

After repentance comes restoration. In Christ, our standing with God does not change when we sin. We are, and always will be, God’s children who will spend eternity with Him if we have trusted and believed in Jesus (Romans 10:9-10). But God is continually conforming believers into the image of His Son as we put to death our flesh and live life in the Spirit (Romans 8:13). We get greater intimacy with our Heavenly Father when we put off the things of this world and live according to His Word. Doesn’t that sound like something you want? 

Since being convicted of the fear of man, I’ve repented from my sin and turned to God. Although the temptation is still real, God constantly reminds me that life with Him is better than the approval of others. I know that God’s Spirit is daily working on my heart to transform me into the image of Christ. Oh, what joy! Friend, consider how you can seek repentance and restoration today. Choose to live differently than the Israelites. Choose the abundant life with your Father, who is always ready and willing to welcome you back home.