Matthew 4:17b-- Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Many today seek for joy and happiness, and many others have given up looking, since it seems to always evade them. Is it possible to have true joy and sincere happiness? Is it something that is to be attained or just something people speak of, but never achieve? Today, I would like to express to you the formula for finding such elusive emotions, and it begins and ends with repentance.
Sin enslaves. Genesis 4:7 says, "If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it." Sins desire is for you, to enslave you, to take you captive. All have fallen prey to this beast, and have suffered the pain of guilt and anguish. The inner battle was initiated, and we lost. And as sinners, we continue to lose, finding discontentment, bitterness and hardness of heart our reward for failure. The beauty of it all is this...we do not have to continue in this state.
The Savior frees us. John 8:36 says, "Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed." Jesus Christ came to set us free from sin and death, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. Sin, and the results from it, no longer has to have dominion over us. But, how can we receive such a gift? What must we do?
Confess your sins. I John 1:9 says, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." Confessing that we are sinners, in need of a Savior, welcomes the gift of forgiveness and salvation into our lives. This practice of repentance must continue throughout the course of our lives, continually recognizing when we fall short of God's plan. By doing this, we can continually be refreshed, renewed and full of joy and happiness.
Surrender to Him today. Acts 3:19 says, "Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord."
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