Devotional - March 18, 2004

Repentance is perhaps the least preached and most misunderstood subjects in the Bible. A man named John used this principle and water baptism to the degree people called him "Baptist." He was not concerned so much about a person's profession as much as their living evidence: a changed life.

John the Baptist was much like a tasty appetizer preparing people for the coming main entrée. John's disciples highly regarded him and his ministry. In fact, I'm imagine when Jesus came on the scene, they felt the need to elevate his image so he wouldn't be diminished by the carpenter from Nazareth. But John not only knew Jesus' role, he knew his own: he would prepare the way for the Son of God by preaching his coming and a message of repentance. He told his followers, "Jesus must increase and I must decrease."

What is the message of repentance? Literally repent means "to change on'e mind." 2 Corinthians 5:17 reads, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" When Christ comes into our life, we should change and be different (in a good way) from what we were like before he came in our life.

It may surprise you to learn that in most churches today, salvation is preached without any expectation of repentance. Maybe that's the message to which you repsonded. You heard what God would do if your confessed your sin and you did it. But after your church welcomed you as a new member and added one more number to their count of people saved, you were ignored. Eventually you drifted away and no one even noticed you were gone. But after a little time passed you began to question your decision.

No one told you that the evidence of your salvation was evident in the way God was changing you to look like Jesus. No one told you that you needed to prepare for an attack from Satan who would attempt to steal your victory like a bird picking seed from on top of the soil. No one told you that you were expected to mature, to discover a personal ministry and practice it with other believers as a member of one spiritual body. No one told you that the only way to grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus is through discipleship where prayer and Bible study become the dominant part of your daily routine.

But it's not just a changed life that proves you're saved. It's also evidenced by those things that accompany salvation, like love, joy, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Are these dominant in your life? (Re: Heb 6:9; Gal 5:22)

John the Baptist preached repentance. He knew the only way a person would ever change was if he wanted to change. Do you want to change? If so, God can make it happen, if you ask Him. How?

Find a godly church that practices Christianity rather than just preach it and surrender your life for God to use in any way He sees fit. You'll not only be amazed how the quality of your life improves but you'll wonder how you could have remained in the dark for so long while the floodlight of truth in God's Word was so close.