Written by Pastor Mark Driskill
November 16, 2011

Read Ephesians 4:28

“Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor…”

There’s more to turning from sin than asking forgiveness. We have completely missed the idea of the cross and redemption. We think Jesus died just so we could get forgiveness and continue living the same old sinful life we were in before we came to the altar. It seems many of us are under the impression that Jesus died on the cross so we could just feel good about being sinners. We run headlong into sin with the thought in the back of our minds, “well I can just ask forgiveness when it’s all over.” We think Jesus died to excuse us from responsibility so we could live any way we want with no consequence. But Jesus does not just call us to confession, but to repentance.

In the first chapter of Mark Jesus begins preaching this message, “Repent and believe the good news.” Somehow modern evangelism has shortened the message to “Believe the good news.”  Repentance is no longer part of the deal.  Just say you are sorry and move on.  However, Jesus tells his disciples, “Unless you repent you will all likewise perish.” Repentance is a gift that was given at the cross  Sadly we have left repentance behind for a feel good easy believism that lets us blindly pursue the things of this world while feeling sanctified at the same time.

We are like the spoiled child who, every time they disobey smooth over it with a smirky, “Sorrrrryyyy” but with no sense of real wrongdoing or a desire to make things right. Friends, what a danger we live in when repentance is no longer part of our gospel. A gospel with no repentance is no gospel, because there can be no freedom from sin if we are still seeking to live in it.

So what is repentance? Paul shows us clearly in today’s passage: “let the thief steal no more, but let him labor, doing honest work with his hands, so that he may have something to share with those in need.” Do you see it? There is more than sorrow going on here. There is a reversal of perspective and action. The taker becomes a giver. The self-centered becomes other centered. This is repentance. You can rededicate a million times, and say a million Hail Mary’s and still never change. That’s because true repentance is more than a religious covering for sin. Repentance is simply, a change of heart that leads to a change in action. Until this begins there is no salvation. I cannot gloss over my sin with a cup of juice and a wafer or a quick “fergimme lord” and expect to get anywhere with God.

Salvation is about becoming a new creature with a new purpose and a new perspective and a new practice! Has this happened to you? Are you living the new life? Are you putting away the deeds of the old life and seeking to live in the new way of Jesus? Or are you just playing church roulette with your soul?

Listen friend, Jesus died to set you free, not to excuse you from responsibility. If you want to live with him then you must die to yourself. This is what saving faith is. You are not saved by accepting Jesus, but by surrendering to him because in his grace he has accepted you. Repent today and watch your world turn from night to day.

Pastor Mark Driskill
Web Minister of Begotten By the Word web ministry
See our website at http://ourchurch.com/member/b/bbtw
and
www.facebook.com (to group “begotten by the word”)
Begotten By the Word is a ministry of Helping Hands Christian resources-Evangelism Outreach
www.hhcr05.org
(Feel free to copy in any way that will bring glory to God and further his kingdom.)