Matthew 3:2 - Lesson #6

"Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."


We left for Rwanda at the beginning of a new year, and I had a lot of time to think and reflect during our 36 hours of travel. These are some of my thoughts...

I think that the marks of a good New Year's resolution are
1. It is measurable,
2. It is behavioral,
3. It is attainable.

I also think that it is important that in the changing of behavior, change would happen at a heart level. This is my hope for this year's resolution.

Repent everyday.

I have to admit that it has been easy for me to forget to repent of my sin on a regular basis. NOT GOOD!! My intent, and I have already seen this begin to happen, is that my times of intentional repentance would begin to spread naturally throughout my day and my life and cause me to grow in a spirit of repentance and forgiveness.

Repentance is vital for a healthy Christian. Not only is it commanded (and therefore should be done whether or not there are pragmatic benefits), but it is also helpful for growth in so many areas of life.

I'm hoping that my more intentional repentance will help me to grow in
1. my understanding and recognition of my own sin
2. my understanding of my need for grace through Jesus' shed blood
3. my gratitude that I HAVE received grace by faith, and I don't need to earn anything!
4. my awareness of the Spirit's powerful work in my heart to conform me to the image of Christ
5. my NEED for the Spirit to do the work to even get me to WANT to change
6. my own understanding of the way that I react and interact with the world
7. holiness.

Repent everyday. Sounds like a simple resolution, but I pray that God would use it in big ways for his own glory and for my good.