Repentance Leads to Renewal, Reconciliation, and A Renewed Commitment
We must be intentional in searching our hearts to see how far we have strayed away from God, to see what things we have left undone, what relationships need to be restored, and who we need to forgive. As we turn back to God with our whole hearts. We look at those areas in our lives that have been long overdue to get a checkup. Have you ever put off an annual checkup at the doctor? You know you need to go, but just don’t get around to it. There are times because of a lack of due diligence, the doctor may give us a not-so-favorable report. As we come to the end of the year, I believe that the Lord has been tugging at our hearts. We have been looking in the mirror of the Word, and what we see hasn’t been lining up with the Word. We don’t like it, and we are going to make changes to get right with God. When we ask God to search us, He will do just that. We want our minds to think as God does and not the world. We are asking God to reveal to us those hidden sins we aren’t aware of. We just want to be clean, righteous, and renewed in our commitment to God. We have looked at ourselves and our relationships in our homes, extended families, ministry, school, or job. We have fixed things with everyone. We humbled ourselves and said, “Hey, you know what I have done this wrong or that wrong.” I shouldn’t have said this or that. Will you forgive me, I am sorry. True repentance results in a radical and persistent pursuit of holy living, walking with God in obedience to His commands.