Scripture:
Matthew 5:48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Matthew 3:8,10 Produce fruit in keeping with repentance… The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.
Observation:
Being perfect is an impossible standard, but if Jesus told us to do it, He will give us grace to do it. He does not demand perfection; rather, He is telling us that God’s perfection is the standard for our lives. We fall short of this constantly. This is why we must live a lifestyle of repentance. It’s not about not measuring up, but about constantly going to Jesus, talking about our lives, and allowing His grace to help us grow.
When you plant an apple seed, you get an apple tree; not bananas, grapes, or onions. If we are truly repentant of our sin, it will be evident by a change of lifestyle. Repentance means seeing yourself and your sin the way God does, turning from your sin, then turning toward God and following Him. It is a change of mind, heart, behavior, and life direction. Repentance is not repeating the same sin and asking for forgiveness occasionally. It is learning to love what God loves and hate what He hates. To see your sin and its effects the way God does – to hate your sin the way God does.
Why do you keep on sinning? Your flesh wants to, and you have not yet been transformed by the love of God in that area.
Application:
In John 14:15, Jesus says, “If you love Me, keep My commands.” The more we fall in love with Jesus, the less we will want to sin and hurt the One we love. This means that as we grow in His word, we get to know Him and love Him more, and strive to obey Him. This causes us to grow in the fear of the Lord, which causes us to love and obey, and so on. The fear of the Lord is not being afraid of Him, but a respect for His power and holiness and being afraid to be away from Him.
Repentance is more than confessing your sin and asking for forgiveness. It is asking God for His heart and perspective. As we do, we will eventually begin to produce the fruit of repentance – an obedient life transformed by the word, love, and fear of the Lord.
Prayer:
Jesus, You are holy and the King of Kings. Thank You for today. I ask for forgiveness for my sins. More than that, I ask that You help me to know You, love You, and fear You more. Teach my heart to obey You. Help my mind align with Yours. Teach me the fear of the Lord so that I may never run from You. Help me to see my sin the way You do. I want to love what You love and hate what You hate. I need You. Help me to live a lifestyle of repentance so that I may live a life that is pleasing and acceptable to You. Amen.
Worship: