Tuesday: A Call to Repentance
Read Jeremiah 26:1-6. What hope is the Lord offering the people here?
The message here was the same as the message all through the Bible, Old and New Testament, and that is the call to repentance, to turn away from our sin and find the salvation that God offers to all.
What is the message of the following texts? 2 Chron. 6:37-39; Ezek. 14:6; Matt. 3:2; Luke 24:47; Acts 17:30.
The inhabitants of Judah were all undeserving, yet God would not give them up.
Image © Stan Myers from GoodSalt.com
By them His name was to be exalted among the heathen. Many who were wholly unacquainted with His attributes were yet to behold the glory of the divine character. It was for the purpose of making plain His merciful designs that He kept sending His servants the prophets with the message, ‘Turn ye again now everyone from his evil way.’ Jeremiah 25:5. ‘For My name’s sake,’ He declared through Isaiah, ‘will I defer Mine anger, and for My praise will I refrain for thee, that I cut thee not off.’ ‘For Mine own sake, even for Mine own sake, will I do it: for how should My name be polluted? and I will not give My glory unto another.’ Isaiah 48:9, Isa. 48:11.
-Ellen G. White, Prophets and Kings, p. 319.
Old Testament, New Testament-in the end, the message of God is the same to all of us: we are sinners, we have done wrong, we deserve punishment. But through the Cross of Christ, through the atoning death of Jesus, God has made a way for all of us to be saved. We need to acknowledge our sinfulness, we need to claim by faith the merits of Jesus, which are freely given us despite our unworthiness, and we need to repent of our sins. And of course, true repentance includes putting sin out of our lives by the grace of God.
No matter what we have done, we can repent of our sins and be forgiven them. This is the great provision of the gospel. What sins do you need to repent of right now?
(26)
Letharginess, being complacent with grace and benevolence from God. May God help to stay close to Him, investigate and read His word more. Being aware of my responsibility and duty to serve and God, without fail.
No matter what we have done, we can repent of our sins and be forgiven them. This is the great provision of the gospel. What sins do you need to repent of right now?
1). As to the first question, I totally agree for the guilt of my past mistakes before coming to Christ has been dealt with and I don't feel guilty anymore once I came to know of the Sanctuary Doctrine in 1991 tent meeting, the message i always state for if not this doctrine our Christianity is shaky and full of doubts and never heard of it after my exorcism from an Animist High Priest in Fiji and a Priest of a reputable Secret Society in the world, I took bible studies with AOG, JW, Methodist, LDS and was void and full of guilt for their Judgment theology had a flaw for it made me scared of that day and would be ashamed if standing and all my loved ones were watching, but the SDA Sanctuary Doctrine was biblical and convicted my heart and mind that this the right and true doctrine and I love this God and Jesus and Holy Spirit of the SDA for its Judgment doctrine was biblical and saints are vindicated or as Daniel state the Judgment is for the saint and not against them.
2). Self Righteousness, and Over Confident or Pride so i need to have a humble and meek spirit as Jesus said come and learn of me for I am meek and humble and also Saint Paul's to walk in reverance and humbly before the Lord.
Among the sweetest words to the human ear is “I love you.” Still sweeter than these to God’s ears are the words, “I repent;” for this signals to the Savior to proceed with what He longs to do more than anything else, to restore the fallen. The Lord goes to great lengths and does strange things to get sinners to repent, for it is one thing He may not do for (on behalf of) the object of His love.
In the matter of repentance humans hold the handle, but so often it is avoided as one would a sharp blade (2 Chronicles 6:37-39). It may not occur to many, but with all His efforts the Redeemer is cut at heart when His people refuse to repent (Jeremiah 11:15).
Often the transgressor declines to repent because there is no sense of need. To many in Judah there was nothing broken and no need to fix anything. This is largely the condition of the last day church. There is far greater concern about being judged by fellow believers than about pleasing the Creator. A modern Jeremiah is seen as a judgmental hater, not a messenger of the Lord.
The approval of brethren and a declaration of good and regular standing satisfies the lukewarm (John 12:43). Among some standards are set as low as possible, supposedly to give everyone a chance. Yet only the self-righteous need to set low standards which they might accomplish in their own strength as they see or imagine it.
None submitted to Christ is intimated by high standards; for they draw on a strength, not their own. The faithful are ever conscious of their shortcomings, and merely with a sense of unease are willing to repent even when it is not absolutely clear a wrong was committed. They would rather be right with God than hang on to uncertainty, hoping to plead ignorance (Acts 17:30).
The closer we get to the cross the more we see ourselves for what we really are...completely sinners and undeserving of the life christ has layed for us. For a long time i have failed to understand how i could deserve such pardon..the cross made me see myself for what i was a sinner in the presence of tha one that is holy and just and for so long i was discourage to move forward because i felt underving for Gods love. But do not despair!our sinful nature is the very reason our Savior died!he is foever calling us to repent and turn away from our sins and restore us with him.Oh!what manner of love. Let ua open our hearts to our savouir who is forver pleading for our repentance. Amen
"we are sinners, we have done wrong, we deserve punishment"
These phrases may be true however I like to think of our position in terms of the image with this lesson.
Jesus wants to be in a loving relationship with us but we turn our backs on Him, why would we do this? He offers unconditional love, He is all powerful, He guides and protects us from evil. Everyone is looking for love and acceptance, and yet they turn away from the One who wants to be their Comforter.
We are, in a sense, "identical twins" in nature and spiritual condition before God. Why does one repent and the other does not? The 2 thieves beside Christ on Calvary were both cursing Christ; but one "repented" and was 'saved'. Why or how is that?
A mystery?
Sin is a mystery. If we could explain it, we would to some extend excuse it.
Perhaps we should ask how sin started in Lucifer's heart.
It probably starts the same way in human hearts.
I have trouble keeping the humility required when I am called on to work so frequently for my local church. Many members think I have special gifts of teaching. I try to tell them it is God that empowers, and tell myself the same thing. But at the end of a major event, when tired, it is easy to slide back and take credit for a job well done. This leads to more opportunity to work and the cycle continues. Would saying no be denying a call from God or a selfish retreat?
Dear Betty, I'm wondering how you define "humility."
The way I see it, humility does not mean making less of the talents God gives us. It does mean, however, that we do not take the credit for ourselves but give credit to the God who gave us these gifts. If you are complimented, I believe it is fine to say, "Thank you. I'm so glad you found the teaching helpful. I'm so grateful that God gives us such insight into His Word."
If you did an assigned job well, it is fine to feel good about it, at the same time feeling grateful to God for giving you the ability and the opportunity.
Hi Betty,
I hear you saying you love to work for the Lord but at times you seem overloaded.
I believe that the LORD wants us to live a balanced life, balanced between work and rest, remember Solomon said:
Ecc 3:1-2 To every thing there is a season, and a time for every purpose under the heavens: (2) a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pull up what is planted;
So to answer your question - sometime saying no is the right thing to do. I would suggest that you talk to Jesus and study the Word, consult with a good counsellor and work out a schedule for yourself allocating your time to different categories. Then if you have filled the time for that category you will know it is right to say no to any further requests.
Just as an example: if I don't spend time on personal prayer and meditation on the Word to develop my relationship with Jesus, I won't be able to share the Good News with others in a meaningful way.
Similarly I need to take care of my health and spend time with my family so that I will be a balanced person who is able to help others.
Being judgmental of other when they fall. Having the faith to know that God will work out my situation and will do what he said he will do. Psm 37:4 has given me the strength to know that Jesus hears my cry and will do just what he said he will do. I will trust in the Lord.
In this realm where God is Sovereign, repentance is turning away from what will lead us to eternal death. This repentance must be preceded by confession, which means: "to agree". With what? With God as shown by His Law. When we(fallen creatures) acknowledge truth, we are confessing we are sinners, and by God's grace turn from those things that grieve the heart of God and wounds us and those around us.
The call to repentance contains the promise to forgive. This means God will forget, as He promises: "and [I] will remember your sins no more." (Isa 43:25)
For a sinner, repentance leads to Life.