Repentance & Humility

From that time on Jesus began to preach, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near."  Matthew 4:17

NIV Life Application Study Bible Footnotes:  

The "kingdom of heaven" has the same meaning as the "kingdom of God" in Mark and Luke.  Matthew uses this phrase because the Jews, out of their intense reverence and respect, did not pronounce God's name.  The Kingdom of heaven is still near because it has arrived in our hearts.  

Jesus started his ministry with the very word people had heard John the Baptist say:  "Repent."  The message is the same today as when Jesus and John gave it.  Becoming a follower of Christ means turning away from our self-centeredness and "self" control and turning our lives over to Christ's direction and control.

Don't you think that's interesting?  Jesus began his ministry with this message.  People needed to hear it 2000 years ago and we need to hear it today!

Do you think that we truly repent?  Oftentimes, I think I want forgiveness but to repent means to turn away. I may even think I'm sorry or feel guilty for some sin in my life but do I mourn over my sin?

Sin is anything that breaks God's law or makes God sad.  Shouldn't I grieve if I've made God sad? 

Many times our sin not only affects us but it affects someone else and many times it's someone we love.  Shouldn't we grieve if we are sinning and it's hurting people we love?

Repentance has got to be a part of our sanctification process.  We must continually ask God to show us areas where we need to repent -- we need to turn away.  A constant pruning away of the dead areas in our life is vital so that we can produce healthy fruit.

And as always, in order for us to produce good fruit, we must stay connect to the Vine!
"I am the vine; you are the branches.  If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit.  Apart from me you can do nothing"  John 15:5

To have a repentant heart is also to be characterized by humility.  Humility is recognizing that it is actually God and others who are responsible for the achievement in my life.

HUMILITY VS. PRIDE

James 4:6  ....."God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."

NIV Life Application Study Bible Footnote:

The cure for evil desires is humility.  Pride makes us self-centered and leads us to conclude that we deserve all we can see, touch, or imagine.  It creates greedy appetites for far more than we need.  We can be released from our self-centered desires by humbling ourselves before God, realizing that all we really need is his approval.  When the Holy Spirit fills us, we see that this world's seductive attractions are only cheap substitutes for what God has to offer.  

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