2 Corinthians 3:18 "True Acceptance"

And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. ~2 Corinthians 3:18

Two major aspects of the transformation that Jesus brings that are sometimes overlooked are forgiving ourselves/others and repentance. When we ask God to forgive our sins, we must also forgive ourselves for the sins we’ve committed and forgive those who have sinned against us. Too often people will hang onto the shame and pain and really stall themselves in the process of transformation. Jesus didn’t die for us to dwell in the midst of the muck. He died so we’d have victory. Therefore, we need to completely let go of all that is associated with that sin.

Forgiveness is not the only problem. Many people do not choose repentance. Repentance is completely turning against our sin. We must make a 180 degree turn to choose to leave old ways behind that led us to that sin and to walk the path Christ has for us. Only when we choose to turn away from evil will we see the true glory of God.

Further Thoughts:

1. Find Scripture on forgiveness and repentance. Write out one of each here.
2. Are there sins in your past that you haven’t forgiven yourself for? Write out a declaration of forgiveness to yourself.
3. Who do you need to forgive? You don’t have to go to them. They may not even know they’ve hurt you. But in your heart you need to forgive them for the wrong they’ve done. Write out a statement of forgiveness to them.
4. What parts of your old way of life do you keep hanging onto? List the areas of your life that need a 180 degree turn from.

Father, help me to forgive myself and others and teach me to turn away from the old me and build on the new. Amen.

Matthew 4:12-17 "The Main Message"

Read Matthew 4:12-17.

"From that time on Jesus began to preach, 'Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.'" NIV

At first glance I thought I'd exhausted the subjects of this passage. Prophesy was on 6/28, repentance on 7/1, and the kingdom of heaven on 6/30. But then I realized I couldn't just pass by without acknowledging the very heart of Christ's message. Verse 17 is the bottom line sermon that Jesus preached. In everything He discussed, admonished, taught, and practiced his purpose was to get across this message, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near." Nothing, not even hanging on a cross, deterred him from his mission.

It started making me think about how distracted we can become from the main message. We can get so caught up in systems, rituals, procedures, and programs that we forget to stay focused on our purpose for being here. If I wasn't supposed to share the good news of Jesus Christ and help direct people toward repentance, then I would have just dropped dead when I received Christ. Zap! I'm in heaven with the Lord. But he left me here for a reason and that is that the body of Christ must carry on the main message.

The enemy will try to distract us from it through many avenues -- social controversies, building churches, legalistic blindness, liberal compromise, adding programs, designing clever evangelistic methods..... And some of these things can be from good intentions. Growing a church to be able to reach out to more people is a great goal. But they become ineffective and misguided when we lose the heart of the message - repentance.

Keep focused. Don't go off on tangents. Don't let the enemy distract you from our main message. He's coming, and we want to take as many with us as possible.

Further Thoughts:

1. Throughout Jesus' ministry, what are some examples to show that He did not lose sight of the main message? Support with Scripture. (i.e. John 5:1-15. Note vs. 14)
2. I mentioned that Jesus continued the message even on the cross. How? Who did he share the message with?
3. How did the early church continue to spread this main message? Site examples from Acts.
4. Is there anything in your life right now that is getting you off the main message? What are some ways to refocus? Ask the Lord to direct you to get back on track. Keep the message alive.

Matthew 3:4-12 "180 Degrees"

Read Matthew 3:4-12.

"Produce fruit in keeping with repentance." NIV

John the Baptist was a man on a mission -- completely devoted and unwavering. He is called the "forerunner to Christ." His message -- confess your sins and repent paving the way for the Messiah, Jesus Christ. He must have been very charismatic because even with his strange living habits, people were drawn to his message. Then the Pharisees and Sadducees (the ruling parties in the Sanhedrin, the Jewish court) had to come and see what John was all about. As soon as he sees them, John calls them to the carpet for their actions and not in a subtle way. "You brood of vipers" isn't exactly a warm greeting.

The Sadducees were tight with the political rulers and the Pharisees were legalistic. Both were missing the point of God's laws, as well as, living hypocritical lives. They may confess their sins and perform the right rituals for them, but repentance was not in their vocabulary, and John the Baptist was going to publicly expose them for who they truly were. I don't think he used the word, "viper" carelessly either. A viper is a very venomous snake whose fangs fold back against the roof of their mouth. They swing forward and lock into place when the snake opens its mouth for the kill. Pretty interesting comparison to these seemingly religious leaders who were poisoning the very beliefs they were to represent.

How many Pharisees and Sadducees are walking around today calling themselves Christians? They espouse the law and God's ways, but merely make sounds, not living out the life that produces good fruit. Basically, hypocrites -- saying one thing and doing another. The Sadducees were all about their power in the Sanhedrin (even though the common people listened to the Pharisees.) and the Pharisees were prideful in their following of the religious law. But a true surrender to God and heart change was not evident. They were in it for themselves and what it could get them, not for serving the Almighty. They had completely lost their fear of the Lord.

How many people that call themselves Christians are truly desiring to live repentant lives? Confessing your sins for forgiveness is easy. The hard part is making the 180 degree turn away from the life you used to live and demonstrating that change through your actions - whether physical or spiritual. But that is exactly what God calls us to do. Simply put -- deny self, surrender to His Lordship, live out the life He has called you to live.

And throughout, be true -- to God, to yourself, and to others. In the end the truth will come out. Christ wants to refine us by his Holy Spirit like fire refines metal. It removes the impurities and leaves only what is true. If we do not allow Him to focus our lives on Him and His ways, we will be separated out later. Like the farmer separating the wheat from the chaff, Christ will separate the true followers from the fakes.

Lord, I want to live a truly repentant life. I desire to produce fruit for Your honor and glory. Lord, help me not to be caught up in the law, but to live by faith and love through the redemptive power of Jesus Christ. I desire to be a full and fruitful tree pointing the way to You. Forgive me for the times I have failed. You are the only one to be glorified. Lead me in that truth.

Further Thoughts:

1. Research the Pharisees and the Saducees. In what ways could people today be calling themselves Christians, but living like these two groups? What would be the evidence?
2. Read John 15:1-17. Compare and contrast Jesus' words with John the Baptist's.
3. Look up the meaning of the word, "repentant."
4. How do we protect ourselves from falling into a Pharisaical lifestyle?
5. Where does true belief and change begin? Read Romans 2:17-29. (Especially note vs. 29) and read Romans 3:21-24.