This is the eighth of a series of reflections of gratitude on 20 years of ministry at GBC.
If there is nothing that makes a pastor’s heart more glad than people growing in Christ, then there is nothing that makes him more sad than people rejecting Christ.
In a cabinet drawer in my office, I keep copies of old church directories. Frankly, I have a difficult time looking at them because when I read through the names I see a string of broken relationships and marriages and rejections of Christ.
And that leads me to my gratitude for repentance. I am thankful for repentance because there will always be sin in the church, and repentance provides a means of restoration and healing. Without repentance, there is no hope for sin. With repentance, there is every hope for restoration and reconciliation — both to God and one another.
Over the years, I’ve seen people “come to their senses,” and it is a gratifying scene to view. It’s gratifying because people begin to experience the fullness of life in Christ, and it is gratifying because human relationships are restored. And it is gratifying because every time someone says, “I was wrong, will you forgive me,” the plan of Satan gets turned upside down and there is cause for eternal rejoicing.
I am also thankful for repentance because I need it. I look at my own life and I see sin and daily battles with the flesh and selfish desires. My only hope is not in my ability nor in my own self-perceived righteousness, but in the redemptive power of Christ to take my sin, forgive it and then redeem it for godly purposes.
Repentance means there is liberation from sin — something both you and I need. I’m thankful for this gift of God’s grace.
Words of Grace 