Today’s Devotional: “Turn and Live”

“‘For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone,’ declares the Sovereign Lord. ‘Repent and live.’” (Ezekiel 18:32)

Repentance involves the mental acceptance that we have sinned and that our sins have not only affected others but have also hurt and wounded God. This should produce within us a deep, heartfelt sorrow over what we have done. In other words, it should literally break our hearts when we think about it.

But it cannot stop there. This must be followed by a definite course of action in which we turn away from our sin and directly to the Lord God, who forgives our sin and cleanses us from all our iniquities (1 John 1:9).

Repentance is nothing short of God’s gracious gift of goodness. Paul said that those who judge others are, in truth, judging themselves and hardening their hearts by not allowing God’s sanctifying work to take place within them. He says that it is the goodness of God that leads to repentance (Romans 2:4).

Repentance is vital to a believer’s walk and relationship with God. None of us should hesitate to repent when the Holy Spirit convicts us. Jesus said that when the Holy Spirit comes, He will convict the world, that is, you and I, of sin, righteousness, and the judgment to come (John 16:8).

God desires His people to repent and turn to Him.

“The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9)

Repentance is all about preparing the way for Jesus to come into our hearts. Jesus is also long-suffering because He doesn’t want anyone to miss out on His blessing of heaven.

Therefore, listen to the Holy Spirit when He tells us about our sin and our need to repent and turn back to God. Don’t wait until tomorrow; do it today.

Repent, and believe in the Gospel!