More than ever, the Church needs to encourage and model repentance. So she can become the Bride worthy of Christ’s return.
However, in Her efforts to love mankind, the Church has forgotten that biblical love is not a greeting card platitude. Her responsibility is to equip God’s people to do His work and build up the church— the body of Christ. This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord. Measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ.
Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth.
Instead, we will speak the truth in love. Growing in every way more and more like Christ. Who is the head of His body—the church. He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work. It helps the other parts grow so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love. Ephesians 4:12-16
This type of love is not popular because many are not willing to
- be confronted, rebuked, ridiculed or persecuted.
- admit to selfishness, laziness or disclose weaknesses.
- confess or confront sin.
- accept responsibility for failed relationships.
- submit to discipline.
Ignoring what Jesus boldly proclaimed. The time is fulfilled, and the Kingdom of God is at hand. Repent and believe in the Gospel. Mark 1:15
Announcing to mankind and to the supernatural realm that if men and women will repent. Turn from their ways to God’s. Life as they know it will change.
What man had given away in the Garden of Eden would be restored. All of God’s blessings would once again be available to man. Evil would be overthrown. Releasing mankind from the bondage of self, sin, sickness and satan because anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone. A new life has begun! 2 Corinthians 5:17
So why do many in church leadership prefer to remain silent on the subject of repentance?
Could it be that they are fearful of the personal and financial repercussions if
- both church members and visitors left church feeling worse than when they entered?
- to work out your own salvation with fear and trembling was not optional?
- you were expected to stare into the face of evil without flinching?
- you were no longer able to maintain a façade of perfection?
Yes, confrontation might be a bitter pill to swallow for both those in leadership and members of their congregation. But sometimes confrontation is the only path that leads to repentance and spiritual transformation.
The Lord convicts us of sin and unrighteousness because the kind of sorrow God wants us to experience leads us away from sin and results in salvation. There’s no regret for that kind of sorrow. 2 Corinthians 7:10
King David practiced repentance on an ongoing basis, and because of this he was recognized and honored by the Lord as a man after His own heart. It was David’s willingness to confess his sins and to turn from his sins— to repent. That forever inscribed his name in the annals of biblical history.
More about repentance and King David next week!
Be a VOICE shouting into the wilderness.
“CHRIST is returning!”
letsloveothers 