March 23, 2020 Voice of Repentance

​As we face more and more limitations on our freedom to work and interact with others because of the virus, I can’t help but be reminded of the times of testing the Lord brought upon His people in the Bible.  God always used those times to get them to examine their own lives and to see where they have missed the mark set by God for His people. 
 
Romans 3:23  for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God
 
Paul was very aware that he was a sinful man, who struggled to be a man of righteous deeds. 
 
Romans 7:18  For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find.
 
In this time of forced slowing down and separation, let’s take the time to sit with God and ask Him, “What are You wanting to show me about my life where I have missed the mark of righteousness in my life?  Where have I gotten lazy, rebellious, or downright disobedient?”  For a while we can mask these “hidden reefs” (Jude 1:12 NASB) with our good deeds, but in these times of testing, they are exposed, and we could be shipwrecked on these reefs. 
 
As God exposes the areas of sin and rebellion in our lives, we must be quick to REPENT and TURN from our wicked ways.  When we repent, we will then bear worthy fruit, and not fruit out of our gifts and positions in the church! (Luke 3:8)
 
Romans 2:4  Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?
 
We would all say, of course I don’t despise God’s goodness.  But when we do not quickly come to our senses and repent of our sins and ask for God, and others, to forgive us, we are keeping ourselves away from the goodness of the God we love.
 
Revelation 3:19  As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent.
 
Please spend some quality time with the Lord today, asking Him to examine your heart for any wicked ways.  Repent and be brought close to the One who loves us more than we can comprehend!