Season 3 Podcast 82 Repentance to Salvation

Repentance to SalvationThe feeling of true repentance is like listening to the rain on a tin roof, knowing that the earth is being baptized, that the dusty air is being cleansed, that flowers are being watered, that the leaves on the trees are being polished, and that all of nature is being refreshed. The mountain streams carry away the stagnant silt, the grass grows from brown to green, the thirsty earth turns its face to heaven to partake of the holy sacrament, and suddenly the heavy clouds unfold like a curtain and the bright sun shines through and smiles its benediction.Saint Peter said,9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9)The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines repentance in the following way:“To turn from sin and resolve to reform one’s life. To feel sorry for something done.”Synonyms for repentance areRegret, feel contrition for, lament, remorse, sorrow Of course, there are different kinds of sorrow. Sorrow for getting caught, for example. Imposed sorrow that comes from consequences imposed by others. Many kinds of sorrow may lead us to change our behavior, and each, I suppose, must be measured by its own merits. If a doctor says to a heart patient, quit smoking or die. That is one kind of repentance that often gets immediate results. But there is a godly sorry.  Paul said.“9 Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing. 10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.”  (2 Corinthians 7:9-10)Repentance to salvation is the theme of this podcast.  By repentance I mean the ability to change our direction through the power of faith made possible by the atonement of Christ.  No one was designed to fail.  No one was sent to this earth only to have to suffer in hell. Though unequal in faith and circumstances, no one is unequal in potential.  That is why only God can be our judge.  If we understood law, we would repent every day.  If we understood judgment, we would thank God every day.Repentance includes forgiveness.  Forgiveness has been largely overlooked as a source of freedom.  God forgives us to free us from the punishment of the law.  We forgive ourselves to free us from a self-imposed prison.  We forgive our enemies, not to ease their conscience, take away their sins, or free them from punishment; we forgive our enemies to free ourselves from their evil clutches.  Only God has the power to forgive sins. If our enemies repent and seek God, then we are thrice blessed, but it is not relevant to our own freedom.  After giving the Lord’s Prayer, Christ teaches us this great truth: 14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: 15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. (Matthew 6:14-15)