Repentance is a truly hard thing to do. Once you’ve made a
stand and declared something to be right and realize you were wrong it is rough
to “walk it back”. But if salvation is our desire we MUST repent (James 4:10).
In church we’re studying the Holy Spirit, and in reviewing the lesson for this
week some things came clearer in my mind that I need to share. The Holy Spirit
serves multiple purposes He convicts us when we are wrong (John 16:7, 8), He purifies
us (Matthew 12:28), He remakes us, He teaches us (Luke 12:12), He gives us
gifts (1 Corinthians 12:4-12) with which to bear the fruits (Galatians 5:22,23)
God requires of His people (Luke 13:7).
While studying I came across this passage that elicited some
concern: Hebrews 6:4-6 says, “For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened,
and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy
Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to
come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they
crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.”
I and many of my fellow believers have had varying degrees
of “falling away”, some more adamantly than others. I have great concern for us
because I don’t want this passage to be applicable to any of us. We were
spoon-fed scripture from before birth and different things happen in our lives
that caused us to reject God’s commands. Then one day we reach a point of self-examination
and decision, do I keep doing what I’m doing or do I walk it back. Most of us
choose to keep going because someone along the way caused us to believe that
forgiveness is not possible, but if we learn anything from the parable of the prodigal
son, we can do just that.
Truth, things will not be what they use to be. Some people
that “never strayed” will treat us with suspicion. We’ve misspent most or all
of our inheritance, but our Father is merciful and has made a way of
redemption. God promises that if we will humble ourselves and pray, seek His
face and turn from our wickedness then He will hear, forgive and restore us (2
Chronicles 7:14). However, we must TURN from our sins, we must be prepared to
call evil what it is (Isaiah 5:20). We cannot expect to be accounted with the
people of God and persist in evil.
The Holy Spirit is patient; He pleads with us daily. He
desires to remake us into the character of Jesus and restore truth in our lives
but repentance is the key (Acts 2:38). Today if you hear His voice do not
reject Him (Hebrews 3:7,8) because rejecting Him will lead to the impossibility
of return (Matthew 12:31,32 Luke 12:10).
No comments:
Post a Comment