Repentance

I am beginning to realize that I leave for another year at college in just about a day. I am packed up and will probably load my car tomorrow night. It has been an eventful summer to say the least and I am very excited to see what God has in store for me this school year. Last year it was growing closer to him and diving into his word more and this year I expect more and to really undergo a huge transformation in Christ. Sure I have had my share of mistakes and situations to learn from but that is what makes me unique as a Christian. My downfalls and triumphs make my testimony relate to the unchurched and show them the hand of God on my life. While I do not condone sin or purposefully making "mistakes" in order to make your story good, I do think that we should take our experiences that have hurt us and use it for the glory of God in how is has changed us. Sometimes we feel like we have to be on the outside looking in just to fit in like everyone else but honestly who sits outside when there is a party going on inside that they could join? The answer is simple, those who are too afraid to join and those who feel like they will not fit in. The nice thing about God's party is that everyone is invited, it is just a matter of whether or not you choose to join. Sure people might look at you as if you do not belong but the Bible says it is not our place to judge and that God is the ultimate decider. I might spend my whole life striving to do good and end up making mistakes everyday until I die but if God looks at me and says, "You did everything you could to live for me and stayed out of situations you should not have been in, and I thank you for that,"then I know that I have done a good job. I cannot be disappointed for doing my ABSOLUTE best and failing when I know that occasionally I will fail. Ted Williams once said, "Baseball is the only field of endeavor in which a man can succeed 3 times out of 10 and be considered a good performer." It has to be noted that failure is a part of life, how we view that failure and how we bounce back is probably one of the things people will remember most about us.

God warns us about repentance and the consequences of having a hard heart as well as sin. The one thing that brings sadness to God is sin. Sin is responsible for all that is bad in the world. Sure people make decisions and carry out that sin but without sin, our world would be perfect. People could not die because there would be no penalty for sin. In regards to temptation and sin, those of us who know better and have sinned are able to help those who struggle with sin and do not know better. Just as Jesus was tempted so he could sympathize with us, we are able to do the same. As I stated before though, we should not praise our sin or that we have downfalls but we should use them to build others up and be teachers as we experience what every other human being experiences. When it comes to repentance, God had some very stern words that he spoke through Zechariah in chapter 1 of Zechariah. Starting with verse 2, he states, "The Lord was very angry with your forefathers. Therefore tell the people : This is what the Lord Almighty says: 'Return to me,' declares the Lord Almighty, 'And I will return to you.' says the Lord Almighty. Do not be like your forefathers, to whom the earlier prophets proclaimed: This is what the Lord Almighty says: 'Turn from your evil ways and your evil practices.' But they would not listen or pay attention to me, declares the Lord. Where are your forefathers now? And the prophets, do they live forever? But did not my words and my decrees, which I commanded my servants the prophets, overtake your forefathers? 'Then they repented and said, "The Lord Almighty has done to us what our ways and practices deserve, just as he determined to do.' " You see, it is not just Christians today saying, "Turn or burn," this has been going on for year. While not the most effective way of ministry, it should be noted that everyone know their fate should they choose a path of destruction. Whether you are a Christian or not, EVERY knee will bow and EVERY tongue WILL confess as stated in Philippians 2:10-11. The clock is ticking and nobody knows when it will run out, or if it will in this lifetime but as we read the other night, "The Kingdom of heaven is near." why wait to make sure that you are going to heaven?

I hope you all read this with a sincere heart and Christian or not, think about dedicating/rededicating yourself to the Lord if you have made some mistakes but you have not thought to seek forgiveness. Please let me know in a message or comment that you did so. You can remain anonymous, but just know that I DO care and that I want to see God move in a radical way across this world. You can even text/call me and let me know, my number is 480-292-1754. I hope you all have/had a wonderful day and I hope to hear from some of you.

God Bless,
Joseph Robinson