Repent, then, turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out so that, times of refreshing may come from the Lord. Acts 3:19
Forgiveness, is one of God’s holy characteristics expressed in the gift of repentance. This gift is not earned but graciously given by our Creator. Repent simply means to turn from sin. God despises sin because it separates His children from His holiness. God is our spiritual GPS. Proverbs promises that our footsteps will be established if we follow the Lord.
Imagine going to a place you’ve never been before. Typically, we use google maps to give us directions to find the destination. God gives us His word to guide us along our journey. However, sometimes we get distracted and miss a turn. Whether purposeful or accidental, we ignore the voice of reason, this adds to our time of arrival and subsequently, google maps instantly reroutes our map, giving new directions, patiently and timely.
Ever notice how Siri’s voice remains calm and graceful? She doesn’t point out your mistakes but persistently points us in the right direction. That’s how God is. How amazing that God continues to pursue us even when we turn ourselves away from Him! The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness, instead He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance – 2 Peter 3:9. His patience and mercy cannot be comprehended. He wants all of us to reach the destination He has for us. Don’t worry if it takes longer than expected, it took the Israelites 40 years instead of 3 days to get to the Promised Land. Imagine how many wrong turns the people of Israel took. God doesn’t give up on us, He gives us new ways. Even in the darkness, God makes a way. Saul was in dark but with God’s help was transformed into Paul.
The apostle explains further in 1 Timothy 1, “although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.” There is nothing impossible with God. Do you understand that Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners? Not those living under the illusion of their righteousness. As Jesus taught, it is the sick who need a physician. Essentially, being a sinner is the first necessary qualification for being a child of God. Sinners are not disqualified from coming to God because Jesus saved us. The prefix, ‘Re’ in repent means again. Though a righteous person falls seven times, he will get up but the wicked will stumble into ruin – Proverbs 24:16.
No matter how many times you miss a turn, let God redirect you, keep repenting again and again. God doesn’t care if it’s your millionth time. Jesus is always listening and will forgive you. He is not asking for perfection but for repentance. With God, anything is possible. We serve a God of restoration. The Lord our God invites us to repent, he encourages it in order to restore peace within us. He says in Revelation 3:19, those whom I love, I love to rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent.
My brothers and sisters, I pray that you come to God with a repentant spirit. Understand that true repentance means changing the mind so deeply that it changes you. Allow our heavenly Father to turn your heart in the right direction. Put to death all that distracts you from God’s guidance and give life to what will turn you towards the light. The wonderful news is that our Lord is a God of mercy, and He responds to repentance. – Billy Graham
I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent. Luke 15:7
