“Guidance To Repentance”

     Our Heavenly Father graciously works to change our minds for the purpose of changing our lives.

    "The goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance" (Romans 2:4).

    Rather than allow us to continue in thoughts contrary to life and reality, the Lord guides us to Himself and His Truth.  "Call unto Me and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things which thou knowest not!" (Jeremiah 33:3).  We will require such "doctrine… reproof… correction… and instruction in righteousness" throughout our earthly lifetime (II Timothy 3:16). We live in a world fraught with influential darkness that continually beckons our minds to think in terms contrary to the Word of God.  Our Heavenly Father loves us enough to counter the deceptions by continually working to lead us to the repentance ("metanoia" in the original Greek, meaning "change of mind") that delivers from darkness unto and into His light.  "The path of the just is as the shining light, which shineth more and more unto the perfect day" (Proverbs 4:18).

    We play a role in this necessary matter of grace, first and foremost, by recognizing that this Divine guidance to repentance constitutes one of the Lord's primary works in our lives.  We do well to frequently remind ourselves of the need for a changed mind.  This may simply require advancement regarding matters in which we perceive things rightly.  "Grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" (II Peter 3:18).  Or it may involve the realization of wrong, and the determination to turn to the light.  "O Lord, correct me" (Jeremiah 10:24).  Either way, our Lord's goodness leads us to the vital acknowledgement and experience of necessary grace, leading to necessary change.  The process is not easy, nor is it inevitable.  Again, we must respond and we must repent when the Truth of God illuminates our darkness, or calls us further into His glorious light…

"Lead me in Thy truth and teach me, for Thou art the God of my salvation.  On Thee do I wait all the day."

(Psalm 25:5)

Weekly Memory Verse

    But let all those that put their trust in Thee rejoice.  Let them shout for joy because Thou defendest them.  Let them also that love Thy name be joyful in Thee.

(Psalm 5:11)