Lori and I have two boys that we are very proud of. They have progressed in life through their basic education and are at university tackling their education into their further careers. Whereas they are moving forward in that aspect of life, they are still infants and learning through the growth process when it comes to life in general.

In our faith and relationship and life of/with Christ, we have a growth track as well. I know that I have been on that track for about 35 years and whereas I feel all grown up in certain areas, I am still learning in others. The one thing I have to know and remember is that I do have to continue on past the foundation and forward into adulthood and maturity in the faith.

“¹Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, ²and of instruction about washings, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment.” — Hebrews 6:1-2 (ESV)

The writer of Hebrews is speaking here to those that have been following Christ for some time and have fallen backward and have not progressed in their maturity in the faith. The writer is calling out that idea to spark them back to the level of Christian maturity they should be. There is no reason for them to start over and learn the basics, or continue covering them. It is time for them to take on bigger tasks and “grow up” in their faith.

The growing up in the faith includes but is not limited to repentance. As they did, I have to remember to take on bigger tasks and think forward of what I should be repenting for. Those little things, whereas important yes, are things that I should now be avoiding out of habit and repentance for them should not be constant as I will not be sinning in those ways. I have moved on to bigger sins and need forgiveness for those now. My repentance moves forward as I move forward.

My boys are growing up and it is time for them to move on from the little things that they should have overcome to this point. As a Christian, I have moved on from the little things I have overcome and now I am forward to repentance for those that are now bigger than I.

Where are you in your repentance and life with Christ? Are you stuck in the beginning stages and not moving forward? What if you were to move forward into the bigger things and left the little things behind as you have already overcome them?

I am sure that most have heard the saying that “you catch more flies with honey than with vinegar”. What I understand from that saying is that you will gain more traction in your movement if you are willing to treat those involved with a bit more gentleness than with quarreling and arguing the merits of the movement.

“²⁴And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, ²⁵correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, ²⁶and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.” — 2 Timothy 2:24-26 (ESV)

Even in awaiting death, Paul is only thinking of the growth of those in Christ. He is writing to Timothy to encourage him, and in this passage, Paul is reminding Timothy to approach situations with care, gentleness, and patience. In doing so, those on the other side of the situation are more willing to listen and take heed. In my NIV commentary I read: “remember to listen to people’s questions and treat them respectfully, while avoiding foolish debates. I you do this, those who oppose you will be more willing to hear what you have to say and perhaps turn from their error.”

I am not all knowing and certainly not the expert at all things. I am willing to listen to the ideas and thoughts and opinions of others in the interest of getting to the truth and/or the root of the issue to be able to move forward in a thoughtful way. Differing opinions are just that differing opinions. They do not have to be “right or wrong”, they only have to be listened to and understood. When I am not willing to understand the opinion or thoughts of someone else, then I am leading them to the idea that they are wrong and place them on the defensive where they will argue the point to the end regardless of the consequences. It is for me as a Christian to listen and proceed with patience and gentleness to lead to repentance and understanding of all and therefore driving more reliance on God and not on man.

It is our willingness and actions toward gentleness that will encourage repentance of others. Not to me, but to God. That repentance is where one finds forgiveness. I am to drive others to Christ and not away from Him. That means that I should be taking the same overall approach of Christ and His patience, gentleness, and caring with all I come in contact.

What approach do you take with those who have differing opinions? Are you prone to holding onto what you believe is “right” and lead into quarreling and arguments? What if you were to provide patience, caring, and gentleness in the situations in order to present the glory of God and drive toward understanding in the interest of repentance?

When I have done wrong, I am prone asking for forgiveness and looking for repentance. But, from and for who am I asking forgiveness and repentance.

“⁹As it is, I rejoice, not because you were grieved, but because you were grieved into repenting. For you felt a godly grief, so that you suffered no loss through us. ¹⁰For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death.” — 2 Corinthians 7:9-10 (ESV)

Per my ESV Commentary: “Grief that comes from God is characterized by repentance, i.e., remorse caused by having lost God’s approval and the consequent resolve to reverse one’s conduct and live for God. Grief that comes from the world, i.e., a remorse brought about by losing the world’s approval, leads to a resolve to regain that approval, and this produces death, or divine judgment.”

I am to be looking for forgiveness and repentance from God and the sins against Him that I have committed. What wrongs I have committed against the world and society, as long as they are in line with God’s will, are of no consequence. I should not concern myself with those and focus my attention on that which is for and from God.

Now, I want to be clear in that focusing on my repentance for God does not mean that I have free reign to treat others without concern for them. I am still bound, as I mentioned above, to living a life in line with God’s will. I am still tasked with spreading the gospel and loving everyone. The thing is that if there is a conflict in the seeking of forgiveness and repenting from and to the world or God, God wins out, hands down.

God’s is the only one that can provide forgiveness for sins. Even with my salvation, I am still a sinner and must repent regularly for those sins and “reverse one’s conduct and live for God”. I have to repent to Him and concern myself with my relationship and action with/for Him as opposed to the worry of what is going on in the world and what it thinks of me.

Where are you concerning yourself related to your repentance and forgiveness seeking? Are you concerning yourself with what others and the world thinks as you are working to do the will of God? What if you concerned yourself with repentance for God and doing His will as opposed to what the world thinks?

“³Do you suppose, O man—you who judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourself—that you will escape the judgment of God? ⁴Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?” — Romans 2:3-4 (ESV)

Paul is so right in his letter. We in society expect things based on what we want or more accurately, what we desire. There is little true seeking of things that are in line with the will and example of God (or maybe I am just not seeing it as I am blinded by all of the chaos). Man is in a constant state of passing judgment on others that seeing the wrong in our own lives is not happening.

“³Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? ⁴Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? ⁵You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.” — Matthew 7:3-5 (ESV)

Jesus spoke these words and Paul reiterated them in his letter to the Romans. There is too much judging of others and not enough looking at self. It is important for me to first take a look at myself and where I am in my relationship with Christ before, and really not at all, I take into account where others are.

It is important for us to look inward prior to looking outward. I have to remember that in order to effectively help and aid others in the name of Christ, I have to get myself right with Him first. When I am in closer concert with Him, I will then be able to do His will in my life and positively impact the lives of others. I recently met with a friend that is going through a difficult patch. Whereas the circumstances are a significant challenge, I had to remember not to try and fix it. I was able to provide advice based on my challenges and only offer that and prayer for God’s love as they worked through the difficulty. I wanted them to know, and hope that I made it clear, that God and I love them and will lift them up to deal with this. I did not hold them to a different standard than I and only offered support.

Too often we want to “fix” or “help” someone else and where that is a noble cause and jester, it may not be what is really needed. Before we can help others, we must seek help in our own lives. We are not to judge, only to love. What we spread, we will receive back so does it not make sense to spread God’s love?

What is your approach when seeing others and their challenges? Are you finding yourself in a position of judging them? What if we sought repentance and redemption in our own lives and relationships with Christ as opposed to judging others and their relationship with Him?

For good, permanently, never to return. All of these seem extreme. Well to repent, they are necessary. It is one thing to ask for forgiveness, and something else to be repentant. Repentance is being sorrowful and regretful for that which was done. There is the feeling that wrongdoing had occurred. For forgiveness, there is a seeking from another to understand and say it is okay for the actions taken or not.

As I read this morning in Acts of Paul speaking to the Ephesian elders, I see that he was leaving them. He was giving a final charge and letting them know that he would not “see” them again as he understood the direction he was headed. He would likely meet dire consequences for moving on, and wanted them to know that it was necessary anyway. Paul had given and would continue to give for the good of others. He was dedicated to the spreading of the gospel and would not apologize for it. He was leaving for the good of others to continue spreading God’s word.

I know, this seems as though I am rambling and how does it fit with repentance and leaving and spreading God’s word. Well here is my attempt to speak it in understanding. I have a duty to God and that duty begins with repentance. I have to fully turn away from where I am and turn to God.

“²¹testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.” — Acts 20:21 (ESV)

Here Paul is telling the elders of the turning toward God. I have to remember that my eyes are to remain on Him and that means that they cannot be on what is behind me, my past and failure to Him. I have to make a permanent split from my old ways and move on to live with God. I may have to move on physically and leave behind others in the name of Christ and His glory. I may have to make that permanent split from a current location never to return for I am moving forward for His glory.

Repentance is about permanence, for good, always, and forever. I have to move forward and away from the past fully and devote to God as I do so in order not to allow my eyes to turn back.

What have you asked for forgiveness for only to return to the same actions later? Are you simply asking someone to say it is okay and they understand? What if you were to look forward, repent and expect that it is permanent and for good and for always?

Reading this morning in Acts 13 I am reminded that Repentance is not just for me. Paul and Barnabas were in Pisidia at Antioch and were asked to speak to the Jews there. Paul stood and spoke of the gospel and in doing so, was so compelling that the Jews asked him to come back the next week and speak the same once again.

“⁴²As they went out, the people begged that these things might be told them the next Sabbath. ⁴³And after the meeting of the synagogue broke up, many Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who, as they spoke with them, urged them to continue in the grace of God.” — Acts 13:42-43 (ESV)

How is that for evangelism. You speak once and then are asked to come and speak the same again the following week. Paul and Barnabas were certainly accepted as the bringers of the gospel and it was well received.

And then the following Sabbath came.

“⁴⁴The next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord. ⁴⁵But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and began to contradict what was spoken by Paul, reviling him.” — Acts 13:44-45 (ESV)

Here we see that the Jews were only interested in receiving for themselves. They were not interested in giving to others, only receiving. And then Paul and Barnabas rebuked them.

“⁴⁶And Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, saying, ‘It was necessary that the word of God be spoken first to you. Since you thrust it aside and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we are turning to the Gentiles.’” — Acts 13:46 (ESV)

There is the lesson. God has provided for me, yes. He also provides for you, and you, and you, and you. It is my role to get that provision to you in the form of evangelism. I am to bring the gospel to you and make forgiveness available for your repentance. I am not the only one that is given forgiveness and I have to be willing to and take action to ensure that you are provided for with this in mind. Repentance and forgiveness are NOT just for me, but for thee as well.

What are you out there hording for yourself? Are you taking on things and celebrating them and denying others the same opportunity or offerings? What if you provided for others and allowed for their chance at forgiveness and repentance and remember that it is NOT just for you?

I am reading this morning in Acts 5 and find where the apostles of Jesus were arrested, charged, and jailed for their obedience to Him. They were out preaching the gospel, jailed, and then freed, and went right back to preaching the gospel. Their defense, they were following the will of God and would not apologize for it. They even brought forth the treatment of Jesus for doing the same and pointed out His elevation for His actions.

“²⁷And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest questioned them, ²⁸saying, ‘We strictly charged you not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and you intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.’ ²⁹But Peter and the apostles answered, ‘We must obey God rather than men. ³⁰The God of our fathers raised Jesus, whom you killed by hanging him on a tree. ³¹God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. ³²And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.’” — Acts 5:27-32 (ESV)

What a testament for us as followers of Christ to hear how the apostles followed Him regardless of the consequences. They were outspoken and deliberate in their actions. They did not waver from the task of obeying Christ. They were not deterred by the prospect of negative worldly consequences. They were encouraged to and obeyed.

I have to remember that I have a larger purpose in this world than what people are able to see. I have to be willing to do that which is right in the name of Christ regardless of the worldly consequences. I must be repentant for the actions I take that are contrary to the will of God and for His glory. That repentance will lead to a cleared mind and heart for Christ and the work he has for me. In doing so I will be rewarded for the work I do for Him. I must obey.

What work have you done that you may need repentance for? Are you in concert with the will of God in your life for His glory? What if you were to repent for those things contrary to His will and obeyed His will in your life?

I have a job to do as a follower of Christ.

“⁴⁵Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, ⁴⁶and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, ⁴⁷and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.” — Luke 24:45-47 (ESV)

And there I it is in verse 47 above. I am to proclaim “repentance for the forgiveness of sins”. I am to spread in the name of Jesus to all the world.

Before I am able to proclaim, I have to know and understand. I am to understand the scripture, not just read and recite, but truly understand. I am to study it and know my role and how to achieve it through the name of Jesus and proclaim to the rest of the world.

It is pretty simple for me to go into the world and proclaim that I am a follower of Jesus. It is something else to proclaim His glory, the gospel, and the repentance required for salvation. I have seen too many that put on that they are followers, only to live their lives and not be concerned with the fate of those around them. They are the “#Jesus” group that say all the right things, but when it comes time to do the work for Christ, they seem to be missing in action. I am not speaking of those that are not part of the non-profit group that seem to not be there when the non-profit needs something. I am speaking of those that when called on in everyday life to care for and demonstrate love for others, seem to be missing. I speak of those that are more concerned with themselves and what others think of their “#Jesus” postings. Those are the ones that seem to be lacking in the carrying out of the task Jesus gave to “Go therefore and…” (Mathew 28:19, ESV).

Where are you in the crowd of Christ followers? Are you one that claims but is missing in the doing area? What if you were to proclaim the Gospel, Repentance, and Forgiveness when the need arises?

“³¹And Jesus answered them, ‘Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. ³²I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.’” — Luke 5:31-32 (ESV)

I read this passage in Luke this morning and was immediately reminded that it is me, a sinner, who should be seeking forgiveness through repentance. I am a sinner and will always be. Jesus came for me to give me the chance to be with Him.

I will say that I have looked at this passage in Luke from the perspective of I am to engage with sinners so that I have the opportunity to present the gospel to them so that they too can experience forgiveness through repentance. But this morning I see it from the perspective of Jesus came to be with me, the sinner. He came to offer up salvation to me. He did not come to spend His time with those that were righteous, they should be spending time with Him.

I need to repent daily for those thing I have done and those that I will do. I have to remember and acknowledge that I am a sinner and no better than anyone else. I have to be the example of accountability and responsibility for my sin. I have to demonstrate repentance and learning from those sins. I have to know and make known that I will make mistakes, however I also have a responsibility to not make the same mistakes again. I have to know that I will sin again, although it is my responsibility to avoid the same sins from occurring again as I have learned from them.

Sinners will sin and there is nothing that can be done about it. I am one and will always be. Jesus came to me in spite of my sin, in fact He came because of it. He came to be with me and provide the opportunity for my repentance and forgiveness and salvation. I have a responsibility to accountability to those sins and the overcoming of them to be with Him in glory.

What sins are you committing over again? Are you pretending that you are somehow above others and that Jesus should be spending time with you thanks to your righteousness? What if you admitted daily that you are a sinner and take responsibility to accountability for those sins to demonstrate your need and reliance on Jesus?

We do not put the cart before the horse and nor should we place baptism before repentance. My ESV commentary states the following about the verse I am studying this morning: “Repentance had to precede baptism, and thus baptism was not the means by which sins were forgiven but rather was a sign indicating that one had truly repented.”

“⁴John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.” — Mark 1:4 (ESV)

As I review this verse and the passage, I am reminded that baptism is not that which saves. It is the repentance of and the forgiveness of sin from God and our acceptance of His salvation that does it. Baptism is just an outward sign to all that the other has taken place.

Baptism is a very personal and public thing and it should be taken seriously. It is personal in that it is a representation of the new relationship with Christ and it is public in that it shows the world that relationship exists. Before baptism, the repentance must take place and that is why I am very much a proponent of a discussion with a brother or sister in Christ before the act of baptism. This is not to find a reason to stop baptism, but more to confirm that the order of things are correct for the individual. They need to be fully aware that there are no powers in the water and that the act of baptism is not what gets it done. It is a demonstration of the repentance that has occurred and the relationship that has been cultivated.

What reasons are you aware of for baptism? Are/did you get baptized in hopes that something in you would change? What if you worked to be repentant and developed a relationship with Christ and simply allowed your baptism to show it?