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Repent, or perish

“There were some present at that very time who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And he answered them, ‘Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered in this way? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them: do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who lived in Jerusalem? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.’ And he told this parable: ‘A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. And he said to the vinedresser, “Look, for three years now I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and I find none. Cut it down. Why should it use up the ground?'”And he answered him, “Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and put on manure. Then if it should bear fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.””

— Luke 13: Repent or Perish (English Standard Version by Crossway)

We have heard the word “repent” and we have read the word “repent” in scripture just like the passage reprinted above.

We say the word “repent,” but what does it really mean to us?

If you ask the average Joe or Josephine in the pew what repent means, they would say, “Repent means to change your ways.”

I would say no, not exactly, to that idea.

Like anything else, there is a process and progression that takes place when we turn back to God’s ways instead of our own. When Jesus said, “… repent, or you will likewise perish,” he was telling his hearers the first step in turning back to God.

To repent means to “change your mind” from sinful thoughts (your mindset) to godly thoughts (God’s mindset). It is your first step in “bearing good fruit” for God’s purposes in the world.

Once you repent (change your mind about what you’re doing), then it is time to make your actions match your convictions.

When I am convicted in my heart that I am a sinner (one who has “missed the mark” when it comes to God’s commands), then I need to take steps to correct my behavior.

That is called conversion.

We all need to do that. It’s also called obedience.

As Dietrich Bonhoeffer once wrote, “The faithful are obedient and the obedient are faithful.”

Often, in our world, we do a “wink-wink, grin-grin” when it comes to obedience. What I mean by that is we have lived for a long time in an American society where independence and even defiance are lifted up as virtues. If disobedience and questioning every authority is the norm, we have learned what can be a destructive behavior. It makes it even harder to practice obedience to God when the rest of the world scoffs and may even persecute us for our obedience.

Once you and I do repent, the progression should take us from repentance to conversion to amendment of life.

We then take steps to amend our life and lifestyle so there is less chance of committing the same sin repeatedly.

Be sure of this: God will not be mocked. You cannot continue committing the same sin over and over, asking God to forgive you over and over. That is cheap grace and says to the Lord that the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross for your sins was of no value. It is like thumbing your nose at God and saying, “I can do whatever I want. I’ll just go back and ask forgiveness from God.” That is not true repentance.

It is false and naive to think that our Heavenly Father is fooled by behavior like that. Yes, God forgives when we come to him in genuine sorrow for our sin, no matter how many times. Yet, with our absolution from sin comes a great responsibility to follow through with our amendment of life.

With the Lord, everything we do is tied to our intentions. What was my intention? Was it to do good toward my neighbor, or was it for my benefit? God knows us better than we know ourselves. The Lord searches our hearts (read “soul”) to see what we are truly thinking and feeling. He sees through our hypocrisy and self-serving intent. We cannot hide our true feelings from God.

When it comes to our eternal salvation, that is good news for us.

God holds up his mirror to our soul and asks us to examine ourselves. He is ready and willing to show us his love, grace and mercy when we truly repent, convert, and amend our ways.

Am I saying we will be condemned to Hell if we don’t follow this formula of repentance and absolution? That is not my job, nor my privilege!

But I do know what God has said. The ultimate decision is God’s to make and not anything I say. Is that some kind of new works righteousness I am touting? By no means!

Everything regarding salvation is God’s work. There is nothing I or any believer can do that will bring about our salvation. It is a done deal because of the obedience of Christ going to the cross. God has already brought about and proclaimed salvation when Jesus said in Mark 16:16, “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.”

It is up to you and me to accept that or reject it.

That’s all anyone can do.

The Rev. Randall (Randy) Conley is the pastor of Hope Lutheran Church in Hubbard Lake.

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