Becoming Like Jesus: Confession and RepentanceSample

What is repentance?

In Romans, Paul addresses the question that’s naturally raised when we hear of God’s incredible grace. If God is faithful to forgive us whenever we ask, why does it matter what we do? Doesn’t that mean we are free to keep on sinning as long as we keep on confessing? Have you ever wondered that?

Let’s check out Paul’s response.

Pray…

Heavenly Father, thank you for who you are. Thank you for being patient with me when I don’t understand and forgiving me when I don’t deserve it. Jesus, I want to live for you. Holy Spirit, would you give me wisdom to know how to do that today? In Jesus’ name, amen.

Read…

Well then, should we keep on sinning so that God can show us more and more of his wonderful grace? Of course not! Since we have died to sin, how can we continue to live in it? Romans 6:1-2 NLT

And you know that Jesus came to take away our sins, and there is no sin in him. Anyone who continues to live in him will not sin. But anyone who keeps on sinning does not know him or understand who he is. 1 John 3:5-6 NLT

Consider….

Paul responds confidently to the idea of responding to God’s grace by sinning more... He says, “Of course not!” What gave him such confidence? It was his understanding of what the Gospel really is.

The good news about Jesus is not: “We suck. We are completely helpless because sin has wrecked us and the world, so Jesus had to come save us from ourselves, because, oh yeah, we suck. But it’s okay, because we’ll get out of here one day.”

While that’s part of the truth, it’s not the whole Gospel. Yes, sin has absolutely wrecked us and the world, but Jesus didn’t come so that we could abandon ship and just get out of here one day. Before sin ever entered the picture, God looked at all He had created and He called it good. After sin is removed, God is going to remake everything so that it’s better than new.

The Good News of Jesus is that because of what He’s done we can be rescued from our sin, our relationship with God can be repaired, and we can be restored to our rightful places as members of His family.

Jesus described this as the Kingdom of God coming to earth.

“The time promised by God has come at last!” he announced. “The Kingdom of God is near! Repent of your sins and believe the Good News!” Mark 1:15 NLT

The Gospel is the good news that the Kingdom of God is coming on earth as it is in heaven and, through Jesus, everyone is invited in. What do we do to accept that invitation? Jesus spelled it out—we repent and believe the Good News.

Confession is agreeing with God. It’s being honest about what’s on the inside. Repentance is aiming your life towards God. It’s changing what’s on the outside.

That’s why Jesus pairs up “repent and believe.” To live in the light and the truth, with integrity and clarity, our behavior has to line up with our beliefs, otherwise we’re just fooling ourselves.

Practice…

Does your behavior line up with what you believe?

Think through each area of your life. Where are you lacking consistency between what you believe and how you really live? How is that inconsistency holding you back from genuine intimacy with God and closeness with others?

Ask God to show you if there are any areas where you need to repent, to change your behavior, and aim your life in the right direction. Remember, this isn’t about us never getting it wrong, it’s about admitting when we do get it wrong by coming back to Jesus.

Listen…

Find a quiet place where you can continue to spend time with God. Maybe you have a favorite chair, a certain spot in your backyard, or a particularly cozy closet. Wherever you need to go to limit distractions, do it.

Set a timer for five minutes.

Ask God to speak to you.

When you get distracted in your mind, and you will, don’t beat yourself up. Instead, use it as an opportunity to come back to Jesus by praying this prayer:

Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life. Psalm 139:23-24 NLT

When the timer ends, thank God for the time you spent together and go into your day looking for opportunities to love Him and love others.