Repentance: Turning, Learning, Growing, Going

Jesus Christ is the “exact representation” of God’s nature.  Jesus Christ being God perfectly expresses God. All that God is, in His nature and being, is expressed and manifested, absolutely and perfectly by God incarnate. Jesus “is the image of the invisible God.” He has explained Him (John 1:14, 18; Col. 2:9). In the person of Jesus Christ the Invisible became visible. If you want to know what God is like take a long hard look at Him in His Son, Jesus Christ. When you see Christ you see the glory of God. Literally, Jesus is “the exact representation of the very substance of God.”  He is the perfect reflection of God because He is God.

This truth is so vital. So often, Christians still view God as a totalitarian judge. Nothing could be farther from the truth. When you look at Jesus, you are looking at the very face of God the Father. God made Himself known to us through Jesus. Jesus Himself answered the disciples when they asked Him to show them the Father:

“If you know me, then you will also know my Father. From now on you do know him and have seen him.”

Philip said to him, “Master, show us the Father,  and that will be enough for us.”

Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you for so long a time and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?  Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on my own. The Father who dwells in me is doing his works.  Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else, believe because of the works themselves.”

We read about the miracles of Jesus, the deliverance, the healings, the grace, all the answered prayers that made life better for those who asked and yet with God the Father we are unsure that He will do the same for us as individuals today. We claim we have faith yet tag on the religious stock retort: I know He’s able, if it’s His will.

I call that cop out or unbelief. Take your pick.

Show me where God says that in the gospels. I will show you… “Lord if you’re willing, you can make me whole” Lord’s reply: “I am willing.” And that is but one of many accounts of God’s willingness to help someone in need who came to Him in faith believing that He would.

Why do we question the heart and will of God? Why do we hope He’ll answer our plea instead of trusting in His answer and receiving it? Why do we tend to look at Jesus as “the good guy” and God the Father as “judge and gavel”?

It’s true! It’s how we approach Him sometimes. It’s how we act when we sin. How about rereading the prodigal son. That Father ran to meet his wayward boy when he came to him in repentance.  How much more is our heavenly Father waiting for us with open arms when we mess up and come to Him? We don’t need to go to God with a hung head, afraid to lift our eyes to His. We need to go to Him in faith, eager for His loving arms to enfold us and set us back on course. That is our God. That is His heart. We don’t go to Him to wait out punishment. We go to Him to be restored.

This is a message of repentance and how God responds to it. Repentance isn’t being sorry for what you’ve done, though it is true that we are.  Repentance is turning from what you’ve been doing and going a whole new direction. Repentance is all about running in faith to our loving Father for help and grace. It’s about empowerment and restoration. However, God can’t help us if we won’t receive His help. If we’re afraid or wary, suspicious or unsure of His love, we will never turn to Him and receive the very thing we need most.

Repentance requires that you retrain your heart to stop trusting self-inflicted guilt -as this is self righteousness-and that you start trusting Christ’s payment for your sin. Repenting also requires that you retrain your heart about what your heart believes is the best way to correct yourself and do better next time. Observe your reaction to when you do something wrong. Do you stay away from God? What gives you freedom to draw near to God again? Are you trusting the forgiveness of God because you made yourself feel bad for long enough? You should be trusting the forgiveness of God because of power of the cross and Jesus blood shed for you.

Repentance is all about turning and learning, growing and going- I’ve recognized my actions or thoughts aren’t lining up with the word of God. I’ve learned a lesson from this I won’t forget. I’m  humbling myself, doing things God’s way,  growing up spiritually and maturing as I turn from this and set my course in a new direction with God’s help. And all that in faith, trusting in your right standing with God through Jesus Christ.

Use thanks and praise to help your heart hear how good and safe it is to trust the cross of Christ. Listen to what you are thanking God about! The cross is more powerful than your sin. Thank the Lord  that you don’t have to put your faith in the severity of your self-condemnation but your faith is in the fact that your sin has been forgiven and because of that you can run to your Father with boldness to receive the grace and mercy and help you need! Biblical repentance is a more effective way to grow—a way of delight toward God—not of contempt toward yourself. You have to get to the heart of the matter—without self-condemnation. Delight in the fact that your Father loves you and can help you change!

My name is Kristie McLachlan and I spend a considerable amount of time writing Christian articles for the purpose of encouraging the body of Christ to come up higher, drawing nearer to the heart of God!