A Lifetime of Turning

"Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent." 
Revelation 3:19 (NIV)

Did you know that repentance is not a one-time event, but is meant to be a way of life?

Martin Luther nails his famous theses to the church door, and his first statement echoes through history with a truth we need to hear: "When our Lord and Master, Jesus Christ said, 'Repent,' he willed that the entire life of believers be one of repentance."

Many Christians live their lives with the belief that repentance ends at salvation. But Jesus uses the present tense when He commands us to repent, which indicates ongoing action. Your first repentance brings you into relationship with God, but continual repentance maintains your fellowship with Him.

When you turn to Christ, the real battle begins. You've declared war on sin, and sometimes you lose those individual battles even though you'll ultimately win the war. That's why you need ongoing repentance.

You'll likely do more repenting after you're saved than when you got saved, because salvation opens your eyes to how much you actually need God's grace. There's no sin so small you don't need to repent of it, and no sin so great you can't repent of it.

The only place you'll never need to repent is in heaven. Until then, let repentance be a daily, well-worn pathway back to close fellowship with your Father. 

Prayer: Lord, let my life reflect Your character. Help others see the family resemblance between You and me through how I love, serve, and live each day. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.