CassieForgiveness and Repentance.
When I was a little girl, my sisters and I certainly got into some little spats. I remember once my older sister and I playing a board game, and I was certain she’d cheated. I went to tug at her hair, and she thrust back and her head banged right into my hard, metal bed. I felt absolutely awful when she cried in pain.
Going to my mom to mediate, eight-year-old me understood when she asked if I had apologized to and hugged Krystal, and if Krystal might forgive me. We had this verbal interaction, and, with even more gusto and peace than before, carried on with our game.
Repentance comes from the Greek word “metanoia” which means a transformative change of heart.
Thus true repentance is not “Im sorry Lord, forgive me,” for selfish reasons, but a heart change.
The danger here is an assumption that repentance derives from feelings. On top of this, a common misperception, something the devil would have us believe, is that we must repent in order to “get right” with Jesus.
For you know that afterward, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought it diligently with tears. HEBREWS 12:17
There is nothing we can do to “get right” with Jesus. JESUS paid the price for our sin, that is already done, and IN JESUS we find true repentance. We do not need to repent or be any sort of “level of holy” in order to approach the throne. He is always there with open arms… always.
It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.”
This is just the God we serve, and our response shall be of PRAISE when we encounter His Holy Spirit that transforms and convicts. And while the Holy Spirit may certainly lead us in first encounter to repentance, the God who created us will never not want us to enter into relationship; He cares for us so deeply, and shows us our purpose in Him.
Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times seven. MATTHEW 18:21-22
Jesus calls us to “be perfect,” but we know only He is capable of that. In accordance with His Word, we know that He never stops forgiving. All of us.
Father, this knowledge of Your goodness brings me to my knees before You. Teach me to love like You love. Reveal to me true repentance of my sins.
