Title: There is no change without repentance
Content Title: There is no change without repentance
Bible: Luke 22:54-62
Are you not complaining because the seat you are currently sitting in is uncomfortable and hot? But what if you think about it this way? By sitting in this seat, other people can sit in a better seat and receive grace! If so, isn't this a good place? There is no doubt that this person is living a truly transformed life.
But in some cases, we blame others, blame the world, and blame the environment. Nothing changes when the environment changes. Even if the government changes, even if the institutions and laws change, we cannot bring about change without a new human being. People have always been blaming the reality of the social environment, work problems, family environment, etc. We wanted the world to be different than ourselves. The church was hoping for a change. I was hoping people I knew would make a difference. But it still didn't seem to change.
Now I have to accept that the only thing that will change is who I am. Is the world's problem a political problem? Is it an economic problem? Is the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak that has been talked about for a long time these days, is the Middle East problem a problem? After all, the problem is a human problem.
You have to change your own mind. Nothing can bring you happiness unless you change your mind. What is important is not a change in circumstances or reality, but a change of heart. Jesus rebuked the Pharisees.
To change your mind, you have to break stereotypes.
The starting point for true repentance is to change your mind.
Second, for this change of heart, God prepared the work of the Word and the prayer of contrite (61-62).
1) Humans must constantly be in the Word.
Verse 61, when he remembered the word of the Lord, he went out and wept bitterly.”
In Peter's repentance, there was a work of the Lord's word. When the word entered his heart, the work of repentance took place.
If you do not open your heart to the Word, you have not yet repented. A person who can't stop listening to the Word or not enough is a poor person who is so full of his own things.
2) Humans must always live a life of prostrate before the Lord. Job, who was said to be righteous in his day, also repented.
“I repent of myself, and in dust and ashes I repent” (Job 42:6). Peter was contrite for what he had done.
There are several elements in these tears. One is tears of confession about his helplessness, saying, "Even if I die, I will not deny the Lord."
Third, God tells us to show changes in our lives that are the result of repentance.
1) Even if it is a loss, I live honestly.
In other words, to live honestly. Honest people are welcome everywhere. An honest person will be treated even if they have made a mistake.
2) A person who is grateful in any circumstances.
He is a person who always has a grateful heart and has peace on his face. Those who have completely returned to the Lord know that the Lord does everything and can look to the Lord and give thanks in all circumstances.
3) Be zealous and live for the Lord.
Those who repent love the Lord with all their heart and work for the Lord more than ever before. Without true repentance, we cannot find joy in the Lord's work.
Fourth. God honors those who repent.
Now, instead of telling others to repent, let's look at ourselves. If I wear red glasses, everything looks red. If my mind is right, I can see everything right. There is no change without repentance. There is no progress without repentance. There is no mission without repentance. There is no heaven without repentance. There is no neighbor without repentance. Amen.