“I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.” Luke 5:32
What is repentance? Is it beating up on yourself? If repentance is beating up on yourself for your failures, then why would Jesus say there is joy in heaven over a sinner who repents (Luke 15:7)? Why would heaven rejoice over people beating up on themselves?
The repentance to which Jesus calls us is something to celebrate. That is why Levi’s first act of repentance is to hold a feast. “And Levi made him a great feast in his house, and there was a large company of tax collectors and others reclining at table with them” (Luke 5:29). Repentance is not a miserable journey of self-loathing and regret. Repentance brings joy in heaven, and if there is joy over repentance in heaven, there will be joy in repentance for you.
Repentance happens as you follow Jesus. Some think you must clean up your life and get your act together before you can follow Jesus. But if repentance were something you had to do before you follow Jesus, it would be a barrier that none of us could ever get over. Repentance happens when you follow Jesus. The message is not, “Repent so that you can follow Jesus” but, “Follow Jesus and you will be able to repent.”
Repentance deepens over time. We see this in J. I. Packer’s definition of repentance:
Repentance is turning from
as much as you know of your sin
to give as much as you know of yourself
to as much as you know of your God.
As you follow Jesus, you will see more of your sin, you will discover more of yourself, and you will come to know more of God. And as your repentance deepens, you will become more like Jesus; and as you become more like Jesus, your joy will increase.
Turn Packer’s definition of repentance into a prayer.
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Do You Need Hope This Easter Season?
Watch the powerful story of the thief on the cross today
The thief’s story of salvation is one that begins, literally, on the brink of hell. The pain this man had experienced throughout his life fueled his hate for God, so much so that he detested the man hanging there on the cross beside him. But then, for the first time, he began to fear God.
If you’ve found yourself in a similar place, there is hope. Hope because heaven is real, hope because we have a Savior, and hope because all you have to do is accept Jesus’ invitation.
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The HIKE Through the Bible podcast is now streaming! Join Pastor Colin for a leisurely hike through the entire Bible story. In every episode he reads a chapter from his new book HIKE Through the Bible and then discusses it with some friends.
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Do you want to understand the Bible story? 📖
Pastor Colin Smith’s upcoming event FLY THROUGH THE BIBLE, is a high-altitude exploration of the entire Bible story. This brief introduction to the Bible will help you grasp who God is, who you are, who Jesus is, and what He offers to you!
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