Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. And this we will do if God permits. (Hebrews 6:1-3)
In Hebrews 6:1-3 Paul speaks of the six foundations of the Christian faith: Repentance, Faith, Baptisms, the Laying on of Hands, the Resurrection of the Dead, and Eternal Judgment. I have touched on each of these briefly before, but today I will be unpacking the first of these doctrines, repentance.
My wife and I were blessed to go and see a musical a few months ago. The musical was Les Miserable, if you haven’t seen it then you need to it is amazing. The premise behind it is the story of Jean Valjean, a man who stole a loaf of bread to feed his sister's son, he was caught and imprisoned for a total of 16 years.
He gets out and finds he is marked by those around him as nothing more than a criminal, unwanted and unworthy; not even fit to work so he can feed himself. Starving, Jean despairs over what his life has become until a kind priest takes him in, feeds him, and gives Jean a place to sleep. Jean Valjean , embittered by what is life has become, returns the priest's kindness by stealing the silver cups and silverware before running away in the middle of the night.
You see Jean has learned from the world that when you sin against it the world may forgive, but it never forgets. He has to take what he can when he can and be darned with the consequences. The authorities of course, catch him and beat him before bringing him before the judge with every intention of throwing him back into slavery for stealing again.
Much like Jean Valjean, we sin repeatedly against the Lord. Again and again we act out our own sinful natures and though we ask forgiveness, we often repeat these sins when we are stressed by the world or tempted by the enemy. In the play, Jean is brought before the judge and the priest comes to his defense. The priest claims he gave the silver to Jean Valjean, and that in his haste to leave, he had even forgotten to take the silver candlesticks as well, "Here, would you leave the best behind?" he asks.
Jesus came for all of us, He came to stand before the judge and vouch for each and every one of you. "I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.” (Luke 5:32) Now, although a great alliteration for salvation, what does this have to do with repentance?
After Jean Valjean leaves the court free to continue his parole, he cries out in agony, the priest reminded him he has a soul. He still has a place in God's kingdom; the priest had rescued him from not only the chains of physical bondage, but of spiritual bondage as well, chains he need never wear again. Christ was waiting patiently for Jean to repent from his sin and turn towards God's light of truth. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9)
After this moment of understanding and repentance brought about by a simple act of faith by a Christian living a Christ-Like life; Jean Valjean continues through the play acting on his renewed faith never again returning to his old ways, even though sorely tested.
Repentance is a change in mind, that results in a change in action.
By changing our minds and making a conscious decision to stop acting on a specific sinful impulse, we turn that sin over to God and walk into a renewed covenant with Him, lightened by the loss of one sinful burden. Every time we discover a new area of our lives in need of repentance we can turn that over to God and again lighten the burden on our hearts. I cannot stress the importance of this first principle of Christianity. Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; hold it fast, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you. (Revelations 3:3)
Every one of us has things today we need to surrender to God. Every one of us have already had the price for our sins paid for by the blood of Christ, now we need only accept His forgiveness by repenting in our hearts.
Let's pray.
Dear Lord, I do not deserve your great mercy. Yet still you grant me grace and accept my honest and earnest repentance. Abba, Father show me the things I still need to release to you. Bring me into a right relationship by casting light into the corners of my soul Lord. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen
In Hebrews 6:1-3 Paul speaks of the six foundations of the Christian faith: Repentance, Faith, Baptisms, the Laying on of Hands, the Resurrection of the Dead, and Eternal Judgment. I have touched on each of these briefly before, but today I will be unpacking the first of these doctrines, repentance.
My wife and I were blessed to go and see a musical a few months ago. The musical was Les Miserable, if you haven’t seen it then you need to it is amazing. The premise behind it is the story of Jean Valjean, a man who stole a loaf of bread to feed his sister's son, he was caught and imprisoned for a total of 16 years.
He gets out and finds he is marked by those around him as nothing more than a criminal, unwanted and unworthy; not even fit to work so he can feed himself. Starving, Jean despairs over what his life has become until a kind priest takes him in, feeds him, and gives Jean a place to sleep. Jean Valjean , embittered by what is life has become, returns the priest's kindness by stealing the silver cups and silverware before running away in the middle of the night.
You see Jean has learned from the world that when you sin against it the world may forgive, but it never forgets. He has to take what he can when he can and be darned with the consequences. The authorities of course, catch him and beat him before bringing him before the judge with every intention of throwing him back into slavery for stealing again.
Much like Jean Valjean, we sin repeatedly against the Lord. Again and again we act out our own sinful natures and though we ask forgiveness, we often repeat these sins when we are stressed by the world or tempted by the enemy. In the play, Jean is brought before the judge and the priest comes to his defense. The priest claims he gave the silver to Jean Valjean, and that in his haste to leave, he had even forgotten to take the silver candlesticks as well, "Here, would you leave the best behind?" he asks.
Jesus came for all of us, He came to stand before the judge and vouch for each and every one of you. "I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.” (Luke 5:32) Now, although a great alliteration for salvation, what does this have to do with repentance?
After Jean Valjean leaves the court free to continue his parole, he cries out in agony, the priest reminded him he has a soul. He still has a place in God's kingdom; the priest had rescued him from not only the chains of physical bondage, but of spiritual bondage as well, chains he need never wear again. Christ was waiting patiently for Jean to repent from his sin and turn towards God's light of truth. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9)
After this moment of understanding and repentance brought about by a simple act of faith by a Christian living a Christ-Like life; Jean Valjean continues through the play acting on his renewed faith never again returning to his old ways, even though sorely tested.
Repentance is a change in mind, that results in a change in action.
By changing our minds and making a conscious decision to stop acting on a specific sinful impulse, we turn that sin over to God and walk into a renewed covenant with Him, lightened by the loss of one sinful burden. Every time we discover a new area of our lives in need of repentance we can turn that over to God and again lighten the burden on our hearts. I cannot stress the importance of this first principle of Christianity. Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; hold it fast, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you. (Revelations 3:3)
Every one of us has things today we need to surrender to God. Every one of us have already had the price for our sins paid for by the blood of Christ, now we need only accept His forgiveness by repenting in our hearts.
Let's pray.
Dear Lord, I do not deserve your great mercy. Yet still you grant me grace and accept my honest and earnest repentance. Abba, Father show me the things I still need to release to you. Bring me into a right relationship by casting light into the corners of my soul Lord. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen
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