True Change of Heart

"But unless you repent, you too will all perish."
Luke 13:3 (NIV)

Have you ever been sorry for getting caught but not sorry for what you did?

I read the true story of an anonymous letter arriving at the IRS saying this: "I have not been able to sleep at night because I cheated on last year's income tax. Enclosed is a thousand dollars. If I still can't sleep, I'll send you the balance." Can you believe it? This person feels convicted enough to send some money but not enough to come completely clean.

This is exactly what repentance is not. It's not just feeling guilty about sin, confessing when you’ve done something wrong, or even feeling sorry. True repentance goes much deeper.

Repentance means turning from all that you are to all that Jesus is. It involves true remorse over your sin, and a determination to renounce your sin. Then it includes a sincere resolve to forsake your sin and follow Jesus.

You don't have to clean up your life before coming to Jesus. If you could clean yourself up, you wouldn't need Him. Repentance is realizing that only Jesus can clean you up, and surrendering to Him completely.

Think of repentance not as changing your behavior but as turning to the real Savior, which then changes your behavior. It's a 180-degree turn from sin to the Savior, from striving and self to salvation. That is what Jesus offers you today—not just a temporary change on the outside, but a true change of heart on the inside. 

Prayer: Father, thank You for welcoming me to come to You. I put my trust in You, Lord. Give me true repentance that goes beyond feeling sorry. Help me turn completely from my sin and completely to You, trusting that You alone can change my heart.