Dear SCC & Friends,
It is not those who are well who need a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call righteous men but sinners to repentance.
~Luke 5:31-32
Update #72
“Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing themselves.” ~Leo Tolstoy The Greek word for “change of mind” is metanoia, which literally means repentance. Repent is a good word that is too often vilified or misunderstood. Jesus used it many times… the key to our understanding repentance is that it is …not your strength, but it is God who is effectively at work in you both to will and to work (strengthening, energizing and creating in you the longing and the ability to fulfill) for His good pleasure. ~Ph. 2:13-Amplified Our repentance (change of mind) begins at salvation and continues throughout our entire lives. Like all sheep we tend to stray, but the Good Shepherd uses His crook to draw us back into His ways and purpose. The Lord doesn’t repent for us, but through His grace and conviction enables us to turn from our ways to His. …It is the kindness of God that leads you to repentance. ~Rom. 2:4
When I was a “brand-new Christian,” I was “on fire.” I was changed… Heaven came down and glory filled my soul… when at the cross my Savior made me whole… night was turned to day, my sins were washed away… Heaven came down and glory filled my soul. I started witnessing before someone told me about witnessing. My repentance and love for God was sincere, yet at times I was like a “reformed smoker”, and I offended a number of people close to me. Why didn’t they see what I see? Why didn’t they get it? My intensity, impatience and attitude called for deeper repentance on my part. I gradually learned that repentance is both a specific response as well as an ongoing process. The same Holy Spirit who had extraordinary patience for me called me to represent that patience to others. Repentance is more than just being sorry and is evident in our change of behavior and attitude. For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret…~2 Cor. 7:10 No regrets when it comes to the Lord…We are a work in progress… “He’s the Potter, and we are the clay.” Keep up the good work!
Love in Christ,
Kevin