Repent!

Repent!

Some time ago, a good friend posted a great comment about repentance. I thought, "That's a great quote. I wonder how many people know what it means to repent."

So, here goes...

Most people have an immediate revulsion when we mention repentance. They only hear that word as a threat which conjures up images of Hell and judgment. What they hear is, "Why does God hate us so much?"

Let’s think about that for a minute. Is repentance a word of hatred or is it an act of incredible love? What does repentance really mean? It means to turn away from something. That's it. To turn back.

“Repent” is a warning from a loving God. When God tells me to repent, He is telling me that I am gone the wrong way and I should turn around. I have walked into danger and He is telling me how to get out of it. He knows the road ahead and the damage that I am about to walk into.

The Bible is full of God's instructions on how to live life and make good decisions. When we follow His directions, things really work out quite well. But, we are prone to wander. We often find ourselves walking away, doing our own thing. That gets us into trouble.

When that happens, being told to repent ... turn around ... go back, is a life saving warning from a loving God who sees the disaster that is ahead.

2 Peter 3:9

"The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance."