Matthew 3:11 “I baptize with water those who repent of their sins and turn to God. But someone is coming soon who is greater than I am. - So much greater that I’m not worthy even to be his slave and carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. (NLT)
Many may believe that being “good,” or doing “good,” is all it takes. In this world of moral relativism, conventional thought is that as long as I'm not “bad,” I'm good. Sure we all realize good people can do bad things. But as long as I shoot up a quick “Sorry for that God,” I can still count on receiving my invitation to His mansion when I take my last breath. Right?
It’s not that simple. Salvation is free, professing faith is simple, but no one said that makes it easy. It feels great to hear about the magnitude of God’s love for me. It’s reassuring to know that my sins are forgiven before I even ask, but repentance? That means I have to give up something. Now wait a minute, that isn’t easy.
Awareness of my sin does not make me repentant. Saying I'm sorry doesn’t make me repentant. True repentance is when I realize that, without Jesus, I have no defense. My our own effort not to sin does not make me less guilty. It is falling on my face at the foot of the cross in acknowledgment of my sin. It is the brokenness of realizing that because of my sin Jesus' blood stained the wood. And it is the desire not to make His sacrifice for me in vain. I turn away from sin, as an expression of my love and gratitude for what Jesus did for me. It is not to rid myself of sin, only Jesus can do that.
Repentance does not bring a sense of sin, but a sense of unutterable unworthiness. ~ Oswald Chambers My Utmost for His Highest
Thank you Lord, for not leaving me to despair in my unworthiness. You have shown me that my worth is found in You.
Many may believe that being “good,” or doing “good,” is all it takes. In this world of moral relativism, conventional thought is that as long as I'm not “bad,” I'm good. Sure we all realize good people can do bad things. But as long as I shoot up a quick “Sorry for that God,” I can still count on receiving my invitation to His mansion when I take my last breath. Right?
It’s not that simple. Salvation is free, professing faith is simple, but no one said that makes it easy. It feels great to hear about the magnitude of God’s love for me. It’s reassuring to know that my sins are forgiven before I even ask, but repentance? That means I have to give up something. Now wait a minute, that isn’t easy.
Awareness of my sin does not make me repentant. Saying I'm sorry doesn’t make me repentant. True repentance is when I realize that, without Jesus, I have no defense. My our own effort not to sin does not make me less guilty. It is falling on my face at the foot of the cross in acknowledgment of my sin. It is the brokenness of realizing that because of my sin Jesus' blood stained the wood. And it is the desire not to make His sacrifice for me in vain. I turn away from sin, as an expression of my love and gratitude for what Jesus did for me. It is not to rid myself of sin, only Jesus can do that.
Repentance does not bring a sense of sin, but a sense of unutterable unworthiness. ~ Oswald Chambers My Utmost for His Highest
Thank you Lord, for not leaving me to despair in my unworthiness. You have shown me that my worth is found in You.
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