YOU TURN

I’ve been doing some thinking about repentance lately. Something sparked the thoughts and I’ve spent some time considering what the Bible has to say about the nature of repentance. I believe the topic is worthy of discussion in the church today.

I’ve noticed a terrible trend about folks dropping out of the assembly for some time, presumably because they’re immersed in sin and worldliness, and then dropping back in like nothing ever happened. They might come forward during the invitation, but even then they might or might not use the word repent to describe what they’re intending to do. Perhaps how people describe it isn’t really all that important, but I think it’s symptomatic of a deeper problem.

Repentance is about turning away from sin to serve God. Those who have never responded to the gospel must turn from their sin and come to God in an acknowledged and demonstrated faith that obeys the Lord’s command to be baptized for the forgiveness of their sins. But a straying Christian must also turn away from his sin and worldliness before he turns to God. Repentance is a change in direction. If you’re walking the wrong way, you need to turn around!

Perhaps the reason why folks don’t feel the need to speak of repentance is because they’re not all that serious about it. They know they need to get back to church, but they’re not always willing to abandon their worldliness and they’re not very interested in giving up unrighteous practices. John the Immerser was clear about the nature of repentance when he said, “Bear fruit in keeping with repentance” (Mat. 3:8).

Have you turned away from sin to serve God? Have you really changed the course of your life? Have you changed your purpose in life? Have you repented?