Today’s Reading, Joel 1-3
Focal Scripture: Joel 2:12 “Even now — this is the Lord’s declaration — turn to me with all your heart, with fasting, weeping, and mourning.”
Repentance is a word we don’t really have a good grasp on in my opinion. Repentance means a turning away from something. It also means that you are turning towards something. When a person repents it requires a decision that will result in a different path. It means you will go in a direction that is opposite of where you were originally planning. It requires every part of a person to repent. You must be all in and you can’t waiver.
In today’s reading we see that the people have a chance to repent. They are told that repentance happens when they turn towards the Lord with all of their heart. They fast, weep and mourn when this decision takes hold. Why? Because when you give your all to a decision it affects every faculty that you have. It is a passionate decision that will impact your entire life.
That is the challenge I have for you today when you search your heart. Have you truly repented of your sins? Have you decided to turn from how you were living and decided to follow the Lord with everything that you have? This is why we have many false converts in our churches and the Christian community. They believe that salvation happens because they say a prayer or attend church. They may even believe if they do enough good works God will become happy with them and let them into heaven.
The only way a person can enter heaven is to repent of their sins. They must make a decision to turn from their life of sin and follow the Lord. This happens when the Holy Spirit awakens a persons soul to their need. Salvation is not something that can be earned. It is a gift that is given by the Lord and repentance is the way to receive it from him.
We are all called to repent of our sinful lifestyle. Yes, we will make mistakes but the goal is to pursue Christ. Repentance will be evident because you won’t be the same as you were before. After all you will be walking a different direction. So are you walking differently today? Or are you living like the world? The answer to that question will determine if you are truly a believer or if you have convinced yourself of something that is not true.
Repent, it is worth it in the long run. It is the only way to become a new creation.
Tomorrow, I plan on reading Amos 1-5
