Hymn 237 II
Timothy 2, repentance is a
gift from God. It’s
not a gift we open and enjoy for only a
little while. It’s
meant to be with us
forever. Hebrews 6, repentance is
foundational and essential. Nothing
more
can happen spiritually until we receive repentance. It’s a starting point. It’s like the silent
process when the husk
finally gives up and lets all the life go to the seed. The outer part is no
longer wanted. It’s
not just feeling sorry or making the
flesh better or cleaning things up. It’s
about receiving new life. Cain
was
offered repentance, but he didn’t take it.
He’d offered a sacrifice that God
did not respect, and God didn’t respect Cain. Cain was furious. He didn’t want God’s
gift. Parents often
offer children a way to be
different, but the children don’t want it.
They will never be happy until they accept what their
parents
offer. If a field has
not been worked
and has no seed planted, it will never produce a harvest of
value. Just turning
the soil won’t produce a
harvest. The farmer
needs to have a
vision of what the field can produce and be willing to work it
and sow seed in
it. The woman at the
well in John 4 was
steeped in false religion, but the more she visited with
Jesus, the more
confidence she had in what He said. She
gave evidence of repentance when she left her waterpot and
went into the
city. Her day was
changed. She finally
realized there was a right way,
and she could walk in it. The
way of
salvation is not just a two-by-two ministry, church in the
home, modesty,
baptism, etc. Those
visible things are
just the wrapping paper of the gift. The
real gift is what is inside, and we don’t want to miss it.
I want to live so that my brethren wouldn’t be ashamed and those outside wouldn’t be confused. God doesn’t want a ceasefire. He wants our surrender. We can be thankful when we lose our peace. Joseph knew one day God would deliver His people out of Egypt. “When the Lord delivers you, take my bones with you.” Because of Joseph’s prophecy, people could endure the hard times. We face difficult times, but we know we won’t be here on earth forever. Picture an orchestra. Two things are necessary to produce beautiful music. All must be in tune with the right pitch. All must mind the time. The conductor, like the Lord, knows the perfect time. |