The Essential Element of Repentance - Leviticus 4-5 and Matthew 24:29-51
Notice how many times the word "unintentional" is used in Leviticus 4 and 5. Then, notice the requirement for restitution at the end of this passage. What is the reason for the emphasis on unintentional sins and restitution? I believe it is showing the absolute necessity for repentance from sin. I pray that each of us will consider this as we read these passages.
The sacrifices were not for people who did not believe in the Lord. They were for people who had trusted Him by faith, and they were trying to live in right relationship with Him. One essential element in coming to the Lord is repentance. We can't turn to the Lord, unless we turn away from sin. That is repentance. It is deciding once and for all that we do not want to sin, we want to do everything God's way. From that point forward in our lives, we will to follow the Lord and His Word. That is a radical commitment, but it is essential to having a relationship with God. He will not receive a person with a divided heart. That was the whole problem for Israel when they wanted to worship God and idols. That is impossible. Therefore, a person who has repented from sin, may sin, but it is not intentional. The intention of his or her heart is to always do God's will. God honors this repentance, and He hears our confession of sin and washes it away, because He knows that we are set on obeying Him.
Contrast that with a person who says in his or her heart, "I know what I am going to do is a sin, but I am going to do it anyway. Then, I will just go to God and ask Him to forgive me. That will make everything all right." Is that how God works? I don't think it is that easy. I don't think God will forgive that sin, unless He sees real repentance. There must be the desire to turn from that sin completely. Then, He will forgive. No one can manipulate God. We must realize that.
Matthew 24 brings up a similar point in its discussion of Jesus' Second Coming. Jesus speaks of a man who thinks the Master has delayed His coming, so he goes out beats his servants and gets drunk. What happens to this person? He is appointed a place with the hypocrites. His actions show that there has been no repentance in his life. His desire is not to please his master. His desire is to not get caught in his sin. Therefore, he sins when he thinks he won't get caught. That is not a heart of repentance. I pray that we will hear these lessons on the importance of repentance.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Leviticus 6-7 and Matthew 25:1-30.
The sacrifices were not for people who did not believe in the Lord. They were for people who had trusted Him by faith, and they were trying to live in right relationship with Him. One essential element in coming to the Lord is repentance. We can't turn to the Lord, unless we turn away from sin. That is repentance. It is deciding once and for all that we do not want to sin, we want to do everything God's way. From that point forward in our lives, we will to follow the Lord and His Word. That is a radical commitment, but it is essential to having a relationship with God. He will not receive a person with a divided heart. That was the whole problem for Israel when they wanted to worship God and idols. That is impossible. Therefore, a person who has repented from sin, may sin, but it is not intentional. The intention of his or her heart is to always do God's will. God honors this repentance, and He hears our confession of sin and washes it away, because He knows that we are set on obeying Him.
Contrast that with a person who says in his or her heart, "I know what I am going to do is a sin, but I am going to do it anyway. Then, I will just go to God and ask Him to forgive me. That will make everything all right." Is that how God works? I don't think it is that easy. I don't think God will forgive that sin, unless He sees real repentance. There must be the desire to turn from that sin completely. Then, He will forgive. No one can manipulate God. We must realize that.
Matthew 24 brings up a similar point in its discussion of Jesus' Second Coming. Jesus speaks of a man who thinks the Master has delayed His coming, so he goes out beats his servants and gets drunk. What happens to this person? He is appointed a place with the hypocrites. His actions show that there has been no repentance in his life. His desire is not to please his master. His desire is to not get caught in his sin. Therefore, he sins when he thinks he won't get caught. That is not a heart of repentance. I pray that we will hear these lessons on the importance of repentance.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Leviticus 6-7 and Matthew 25:1-30.