Repentance (2)

We tend to think that repentance is a one-off thing: we repented and believed the Gospel so we are safe in Christ Jesus. And that is gloriously true.

However, we very soon come to realise that we struggle and fail every day to live the life that our Lord Jesus Christ wants us to live. The Bible tells us that our 'old self is dead' but sadly we keep looking back at it and sometimes have a nostalgic longing for the things that find no place in a truly Christian life. So, as we Christians sin every day we also need to repent every day. "Repentance is the draining routine on the highway of holiness on which God calls us to travel. It is the way we get beyond what has proved to be dirt, rubbish and stagnant flood-water in our lives" (J. I. Packer).

A holy, humble, faithful life is what God want for us as Christians and he has given us the Bible and the help of the Holy Spirit to get rid of the 'dirt, rubbish and stagnant flood water' of un-Christian thoughts and actions. God will keep on cleansing and forgiving us.

It can be a struggle but our' real life' in Christ will become more and more apparent as we seek to walk with the Spirit on the' highway of God's holiness.'

Prayer

Lord, please help me to really discard the 'old self' and to relish living in my 'new, real life' in Christ Jesus. Amen