Posted by: Niki (approved by Ty) 😉
What does repentance look like? What IS repentance?
If you’re a Christian you’ve probably heard this word in sermons, maybe even used it in conversation, or consider it something you did in order to receive salvation. Or maybe you’ve never stopped to consider it at all… repentance. By definition it is a changing of thought or action to correct a wrong, to make restitution, to reverse harmful effects. You don’t see a lot of this in our culture, to be honest. We all learn at an early age to blame the other person, make ourselves look better than we are… lie, hide, or deflect our guilt. And by the time we’re adults, we’re really good at this game. We may even fool the majority of people most of the time. Ah, but God. People judge by the outward appearance, but God looks at the heart (1 Sam 16:7). We’re not fooling Him. Ever.
So, what then does repentance look like? Well, this week I got to see it on my daughter’s face, feel it in my own heart, and experience it through my husband’s tears. Although the details are private, we desire to transparently share and proclaim the beauty that comes from a Holy-Spirit-inspired repentance. I give credit to the Holy Spirit because it is the spirit of Christ in us that draws us to repentance, it is not something we naturally possess.
Our family is SO NOT perfect. I’m sorry if that disappoints you, but it shouldn’t ~ we are part of this fallen human race and if there is anything good you see in us it is only by God’s grace! Those who know us well know that our past is littered with all kinds of sin and ungodliness. I’ll spare the details on this public space. BUT we do not shy away from acknowledging our sins (past and present) because we also desire to proclaim the victory and freedom God has given us over those sins!!! God has broken into our darkness and lifted us out of the pit time and time again and that IS our story. Left to ourselves, Ty and I are selfish, unloving, prideful, impatient, and well… you get the picture. But God. But – God. God is our redeemer, rescuer, deliverer, restorer, and the lifter of our heads. He alone is our rock and righteousness!
As believers in Christ we are not called to be the poster children for perfection, but instead to be the faces of repentance. Don’t get me wrong, our lives should be marked by evidence of spiritual fruit and sanctification. BUT, too many of us are walking around as “white-washed tombs” looking beautiful on the outside but full of death and impurity on the inside (Matt 23:27). Jesus used this illustration to warn the religious teachers and pharisees of his time, calling them hypocrites, because they cared more about appearing perfect and holy than they did about actually having a Christ-centered heart of love and compassion. Now, this isn’t an excuse to hate Christians by labeling them as hypocrites or blame others for your rebellion against God. I think it’s meant to be a strong warning for all of us to examine our hearts very carefully, and respond repentantly to the sin that dwells within us.
Repentance is beautiful. It is a humble recognition of one’s own wrongdoing and a desire for forgiveness and change. Repentance gives way to rebirth. Repentance brings redemption. Repentance softens what was hardened. In our family we have experienced the joy of repentance this weak in several ways and we praise God for His kindness which leads us to repentance (Rom 2:4). Our marriage has never been stronger, our faith has never been more united, and our dependance upon God has never been more necessary. That’s a good place to be, I think. 🙂