Biblical Repentance

What is repentance?  Ask many church leaders and they will tell you that repentance is turning away from your sins and turning to God.  It means pulling a 180 degree turn from your present course.  As I have been reading Luke 15 something interesting has stood out to me.  Luke 15 equates being found with repentance.  Now, I do not see many issues with that, except that I as a sinner have no control over being found.  My question to ponder today is how do I repent using my own strength when Luke 15 tells me that repentance and being found are the same thing?

I am not saying I have no control over my actions; I unwillingly, and mostly willingly commit sin.  So, what does it mean to be found and how does that relate to repentance?  This question comes from verses 7 and 10 where the author states there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents.  In the parables the item that is missing represents the sinner (Lost Sheep, Lost Coin).  The finder represents Jesus (Shepherd, Woman). 

These verses stick out to me because many people ask me how they can overcome the sin in their life, and how to beat the enemy.  These stick out to me also because of my own struggles with sin.  i have tried hard to repent and turn from my sin on my own strength, but that has always turned out to be a fruitless act.  I get depressed or I fall right back into the sin I want to stop.  The only success in turning from sin I have had is when I have completely surrendered to Jesus.

Having this mindset can be dangerous though.  If I fully rely on Jesus to deliver me, I can also blame Jesus for not delivering me the next time I am tempted to sin and give in.  There needs to be a balance.  I believe the first step in turning from sin is recognizing your own inability to save yourself.  I cannot attain victory over a certain area of my life.  The second step needs to be adjusting your living habits to reflect Christ's absolute control over your life.  I think too often we want to say we overcome issues on our own.  I know it is for me.  I find it extremely difficult to admit that I cannot beat things on my own.  Yet when I have tried on my own, I have failed.  It is only with Jesus that I have been able to be a victor.  There is a balance I seek to find every day.  This balance is between my own need for a savior, and my ability to change my life to honor Him.


In His service, Crazy Pete