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Word from Nairnshire
by Sandy Shaw
As repentance is closely associated with revival, which is a visitation of God, then we had better know what it means, and what is involved.
If we are at all concerned about a fresh visitation of God upon our land, classically called revival, then repentance is never far away.
Repent was the first word Jesus Christ preached when he launched his ministry.
When John the Baptist walked onto the world’s scene, his initial theme was repentance.
Three years later, when the ascended Lord Jesus Christ birthed the Church, and crowds wanted to know what they should do to sort out their lives, Peter’s first words were repent, and be baptised, and receive the Holy Spirit.
When anointed Paul preached, among his first words were that men should repent and turn to God, and show by their way of life that this was for real.
Its basic meaning is ‘to change one’s mind’.
False impressions and notions require to be dispelled. Repentance has little to do with emotion, with the shedding of tears, or religious rituals.
It is a decision a man makes to change his mind and turn around, from going away from God, to coming towards Him.
In the Old Testament there was that sense of turning back, or returning, to live in a completely different way.
The perfect example of genuine repentance is found in the parable of the prodigal son.
He turned his back on father and home, skiving off to waste all his money in sin and dissipation and prostitutes. Eventually he came to himself, as he sat sad and lonely, longing to have a decent meal.
He made a decision to arise and return to his father.
Repentance is the first move any man must make who desires to be reconciled with God.
Sandy Shaw
Nairn Christian Fellowship
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Sandy has a weekly radio talk which can be heard via the Internet on Saturday at 11:40am, New Orleans time, at wsho.com.
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