Repentance

Matthew 4: 12-17

What is repentance?  Repentance, according to the dictionary is, "Remorse for past conduct or sin."  To that I would add, "rpentance is genuine sorrow for sin."  This is more then just feeling sorry for our sin.  It means a whole attitude toward sin.  Sin is not just a human frailty.  To sin is to mock or scorn God's Word.  Sin creates a barrier between ourselves and God, and this is why God gave his Son for us; this is why Jesus willingly died ont he cross.  When we realize this, we can no longer treat sin lightly.  It is a moral tragedy.

Repentence also involves complete renouncing all known sin in our lives.  It means being so sick and tired of our sin that we become resolved, by the Holy Spirit's help, to give it up.

I read an interesting article that demonstrates what I mean.  In India farmers suffer great loss from their peanut crops because of monkeys, they came up with an ingenious plan to discourage the monkeys.  They buried in the ground small pots filled with peanuts and the pots had narrow necks.  The monkeys have to squeeze their hand into the pot in order to grab a handful of peanuts in its grip.  Then the farmer rushes out and gives the monkey a few hard hits with a cane.  The monkey struggles and struggles, but it can't get free.  Finally, it lets lose of the peanuts, and pulls its hand free.

So whats the lesson for us?  The lesson is this: only when we are willing to let go of our sins and turn away can we find complete forgiveness and deliverance.  Remember