Privilege of Repenting

I learned about repentance a hot minute ago. Repentance was explained to me in driving terms. You are going in one direction, and you do a U-turn and head the other way. I find myself doing U-turns a bit too often. I’m easily distracted from following the Lord fully. I sometimes do the things that I don’t want to do. I also say things before I give thought to my words.

I don’t think I’ve ever thought of repentance as a privilege. I was reading Peter’s explanation of the day that God sent him to the house of Cornelius, a non-Jew, to teach the Good News of Jesus. As Peter is explaining his actions, the leaders in Jerusalem accept his report. Check this out….

¹⁸ When the others heard this, they stopped objecting and began praising God. They said, “We can see that God has also given the Gentiles the privilege of repenting of their sins and receiving eternal life.” (Acts 11:18 NLT)

My repentance leads to forgiveness.

My repentance leads to restoration.

My repentance leads to a clean heart.

My repentance leads to eternal life.

The privilege of repenting is pure grace from the Lord. I deserve the punishment for my actions or my activities. Instead, He gives me the “privilege of repenting”. He restores my soul through repentance. He even removes my embarrassment of my sin. The consequences that follow my sin are still mine to carry – He even helps with that!

I’m thankful that Jesus made a way back to God via the privilege of repentance. He is so patient. He is so kind. When I repent, I realize how imperfect and flawed I am and just how perfect He is.

Pressing On!

Dwayne