Luke 15: 7 I tell you the that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent. --NIV
In the name of the One Who wants us to repent, amen.
A young white man goes on trial for taking part in dragging a black man to his death. He repeats again and again how sorry he is. But some people ask if he is really sorry, or just sorry that he got caught. That question comes up with many people who get caught in criminal acts. It also comes up between parents and children. The fact of the matter is that there is a difference between simply feeling bad over sin, and truly being repentant.
True repentance reflects faith in forgiveness, and it desires to avoid sinning again. When we read that there is great rejoicing in heaven over a sinner who repents, we know that it is over a sinner who truly repents. There is no joy over someone who is only sorry that he got caught, because there is still no salvation for such a person. But there is great joy over the sinner who trusts that his sins are forgiven, and who desire not to sin again.
Sometimes we go through the motions of repentance, we say the words and hear the absolution (statement of forgiveness), but deep inside we can't wait to do the same thing again. Think about it, the drunken parties on Friday nights, the off-color jokes, pornography, showing ourselves to be important by putting others down or "putting them in their place." We might think, "I shouldn't have stretched the truth on my taxes, Lord, don't let me get audited," but we fully intend to do the same thing again this year. These things make a mockery of repentance. They show that we are only afraid of getting caught by God or others. We also make a mockery of repentance when we are troubled by sin, but we do not really believe our sins are forgiven. Christ Jesus promises that no matter how great the sin, it is forgiven in Jesus.
As you prepare to celebrate the birth of your Savior, prepare yourself so that you will always be ready for His return. Look carefully at what sort of repentance you have. Are you really sorry for your sins and intend to do your best to avoid those sins in the future? Do you trust that even your sins are forgiven as Jesus promises? May the Holy Spirit give you eyes to see your sinfulness, the determination to avoid sin, and the faith that clings to your forgiveness in Christ Jesus. Amen.
Prayer: Dear heavenly Father, You do not want sinners to die, but to repent and be saved. Give us the gifts we need to see and avoid our sins. Show us again that even our sins are forgiven. Make us truly repentant. Give us Your Holy Spirit so that we may praise and glorify Your holy name foreve. We ask this in Jesus' name amen.
Copyright 1999 Reformation Lutheran Church http://ReformationChurch.org