Know the blessings of repentance
Isaiah 59:20 “The Redeemer will come to Zion, to those in Jacob who repent of their sins.”
Our Bible verse for this week is good reminder early in the season of Lent. It is a good reminder of what our attitude should be as we see our Savior walk the road to the cross – repentant of our sins.
This is a good reminder because sometimes there is a notion out there that God will forgive anyone and everyone even if they don’t repent.
This is a good opportunity for us to make sure we have things clear:
- Jesus died and paid for the sins of all people of all time.
- Jesus’ death makes forgiveness available to all people no matter how “horrible” their sin was.
- When we repent of our sin (acknowledge that we have sinned and ask God to forgive us) God immediately gives us full and free forgiveness of that sin.
- We do not (and cannot) do anything to help aid our forgiveness.
- When God forgives a sin, he wipes it out of his memory and there is no record of it in his sight. Even with that, the devil still tries to bring up our forgiven sins to make us feel guilty even after God has forgiven our sin.
If you go back and reread our verse for this week there is one more thing to note. Note that Isaiah does not say God “might” or “can” come and give forgiveness. He says that the Redeemer “will” come and give forgiveness to each and every person who repents of their sin – no ifs, ands or buts about it.
Unlike humans who like to use repentance and the forgiveness which follows as a weapon or club, God has only one goal he wants to have out of repentance and forgiveness – the complete peace of knowing that the sin is forgiven and our relationship with God and whatever humans we sinned against is restored. Very likely you know the peace and relief of forgiveness – the only way you can get that peace and relief is to repent and seek God’s forgiveness.
One last note – not only do we want that peace and relief of forgiveness, every other human being does as well. What a privilege and opportunity we have to not only have that peace and relief ourselves, but also to extend that same peace and relief to others.
That is knowing and sharing the blessings of repentance!