Sæktu forritiðRepentance: A Terrifying Threat or a Loving Invitation?Sýnishorn
Provided a seed is sown in good soil and is exposed to favourable conditions, it will be impossible for that seed to decide not to germinate; nature will run its course. Repentance is no different. While the Holy Spirit transforms us in the secret place of our hearts, the fruit of this change will eventually become evident to those around us.
John the Baptist cemented this when he said, “Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God” (Matthew 3:8 NLT).
In the book of Acts, we read about one of the most spectacular displays of repentance ever recorded. In chapter 19 we see how both Jews and Greeks in the city of Ephesus come to place their faith in Jesus following a fascinating incident with a demon-possessed man. In response, many confessed their sins, and some who practiced sorcery brought their scrolls together and burned them publicly! The fruit of an inward change quickly became evident to the onlookers.
We can’t deny that repentance is a double-sided coin that is both private and public in nature.
Today many people confess faith in Jesus Christ, but their testimony is only valid at the point when we can pick the fruit of repentance from their lives.
Can we confidently say that what Jesus has done in our hearts is visible to those around us?
Pray: Jesus, fill me with your Holy Spirit and transform my thinking according to the truth of your word. Please reveal anything that I need to repent of, so that I can follow you wholeheartedly. Amen.
About this Plan
Unfortunately for many of us, the word repentance conjures up the image of a zealous street preacher waving a “turn or burn” poster, imposing on his frightened audience the threat of eternal damnation. Fortunately, there is a better way to look at repentance.
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