Crouching Sin Hidden Dragon
Repentance
What in me needs to be addressed & changed?
True repentance is not: getting caught, or diminishing sin (comparing), casting blame on others, or doing things to justify & feel good about your sin.
Obedience is a response to Gods love & forgiveness; God doesn't bless us because we've earned it.
"One of the Pharisees asked Jesus to have dinner with him, so Jesus went to his home and sat down to eat. When a certain immoral woman from that city heard he was eating there, she brought a beautiful alabaster jar filled with expensive perfume. Then she knelt behind him at his feet, weeping. Her tears fell on his feet, and she wiped them off with her hair. Then she kept kissing his feet and putting perfume on them. When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know what kind of woman is touching him. She’s a sinner!” Then Jesus answered his thoughts. “Simon,” he said to the Pharisee, “I have something to say to you.” “Go ahead, Teacher,” Simon replied. Then Jesus told him this story: “A man loaned money to two people—500 pieces of silver to one and 50 pieces to the other. But neither of them could repay him, so he kindly forgave them both, canceling their debts. Who do you suppose loved him more after that?” Simon answered, “I suppose the one for whom he canceled the larger debt.” “That’s right,” Jesus said. Then he turned to the woman and said to Simon, “Look at this woman kneeling here. When I entered your home, you didn’t offer me water to wash the dust from my feet, but she has washed them with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You didn’t greet me with a kiss, but from the time I first came in, she has not stopped kissing my feet. You neglected the courtesy of olive oil to anoint my head, but she has anointed my feet with rare perfume. “I tell you, her sins—and they are many—have been forgiven, so she has shown me much love. But a person who is forgiven little shows only little love.” Then Jesus said to the woman, “Your sins are forgiven.” The men at the table said among themselves, “Who is this man, that he goes around forgiving sins?” And Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” (Luke 7:36-50 NLT)
This woman was not invited & she didn't care, she needed to get to Jesus. Then she starts crying over his dirty nasty feet & wiping it with her hair & poured EXPENSIVE oil over his feet. Vs this Pharisees (religious political figure) who knows the religious customs very well BUT didn't bother to treat Jesus accordingly.
1) True repentance will cost you something! Dreams, Relationships, Things. "Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance"-Matthew 3:8 NKJV
2) True repentance seeks to serve others. Like this woman who served Jesus vs the Pharisees that could have but didn't. Get rid of your sin & then help someone else get rid of their sin.
Sin is self serving!
3) True repentance lives for an audience of one. Do all things as unto Christ. Because my God said so, regardless of if it makes sense to the rest of the world. The Pharisees was more concerned with his reputation among men vs the woman who didn't care.
4) True repentance leaves a legacy. "I tell you the truth, wherever the Good News is preached throughout the world, this woman’s deed will be remembered and discussed.” (Mark 14:9 NLT) Just like sin affects others around you so can your righteousness, for generations to come.
5) True repentance brings peace. Integrity brings peace. Reference the phrase "how can you sleep at night". Walking in sin brings no rest.
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