I don’t have this scheduled out, but I am going to write some posts about repentance as I interact with a re-reading of Dudley J. Delffs’ book, A Repentant Heart: The Joy of Restoring Intimacy With God. Delffs’ 1995 book is out of print but worth getting a copy if you can. Growing up in the church, I have often heard the appeal to “repent”. As a preacher, I have used most of my sermons to encourage repentance. I have repented many times in my life, especially as a particular sin becomes evident. It is a Scriptural idea.
Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.—Luke 15:7
I’ve become convinced that Christians know they need to repent but we do not know how to repent. I can define it for you and I can offer examples. I can even testify that I have done it! But those are moments of repentance, usually brought about by a surge of guilt. Repentance, however, is not a textbook definition nor just an effort to do better in life. Repentance has to do with our ongoing relationship with God. It cannot be viewed as a one-time act nor an occasional redirect.
I believe if we’re honest, we would all admit to an ongoing struggle with God, with faith, with trusting Him. We are realizing more and more that God will not be managed and reduced to neat theological categories. He intrudes in our lives and penetrates our deepest parts with his mysterious presence. He calls us to repent, to turn from ourselves and toward Him, every day of our lives. —Delffs, p. 7.
At the heart of the discussion is the real motive for considering the concept of repentance. Do you want to change? Christians believe that God can bring about change in our lives. Are we willing to cooperate? To yield? What do you really want? For people committed to following Jesus, the answer must be a resounding YES, I want to change.
To repent is to come to your senses. It is not so much something you do as something that happens. True repentance spends less time looking at the past and saying, “I’m sorry,” than to the future and saying “Wow!” —Frederick Buechner, Wishful Thinking
I do not want these to be long posts. I don’t like long posts. But I do think I will settle in on this subject for a bit. Delffs has given me much to think about because he keeps pointing to Jesus.
Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” —Matthew 4:17
Next we will contemplate the question: Why do I do what I don’t want to do?
True repentance, I find, is an on-going process. I find that like a diet, repentance, seems to have peaks and valleys. The valley comes when I have taken my eyes from the goal. Sin is so sneaky. At times it doesn't seem to take much to find that slippery sloop.
I'm looking forward to more of this particular topic.