Wrestling with Repentance

A man, who spent much time in Milan and other European cities, was once known for his great intellect and ability to persuade. He was by his own measure, a liar, a cheat, and smarter than all around him. But he was also in turmoil; then God came to him through a child’s voice and forever changed Augustine. Many conversion stories are like that – all, in fact, though many less dramatic. Jacob’s is as well. A scoundrel, a cheat, a liar; but by the grace of God, now a new man. What is his conversion like? What are signs of it? In our passage this morning, Jacob shows us: 1. Repentance 2. Penitence 3. Deference 4. Persistence 5. Prudence