Text: John 14:15-21, Deuteronomy 5:33, James 4:7-10, 2 John 1:6
Growing up in the religious South, I’ve too often thought of faith as one of those moving walkways in the airport. The point was not the walking or the journey along the way; the point was getting to the destination—heaven. Or, to put it bluntly, not hell.
Being a Christian meant picking the correct lane and facing the correct direction. No deviating to the left or right, no passing Go or collecting $200. No obvious need for a Savior or real understanding of grace. Just a beeline for the pearly gates, with a little tithing and a lot of church attendance thrown in for good measure.
Aren’t you thankful Jesus didn’t come to give us empty religion? He came to give us Himself. The invitation Christ extends is an invitation to a relationship with Him.
Repentance is not a box we check so that we end up on the right side of eternity; repentance is an everyday event, a manifestation of an ongoing relationship with God. We turn from our sin and turn to God, and we walk with Him. The turning is the first step, but the walking is a continuous motion. And, contrary to what we may fear, it is not something we do on our own.
The night before Jesus was crucified, He sat with His disciples around a table and said to them, “If you love Me, you will keep My commands” (John 14:15). Those twelve men could not have known the full weight of Jesus’ statement at the time, but in hindsight, we can see just how hard that would be. Like them, you and I know how difficult it is to walk steadily in the way of Christ. We know how often we fall, just like Adam and Eve and every generation after them fell, and just like the imperfect disciples sitting around that table. When we hear “if you love Me, you will keep my commands,” we may wonder if we do.
We aren’t perfect. That’s why the perfect Savior came. Jesus came to give the Father glory and to give us Himself. And what He gave, the world could not take away.
They took His life, but He gave us His Spirit. They buried Him in the ground, but He rose out of that grave and later into the heavens, where He lives so we might also live (John 14:16,19). Yes, Christ calls us to walk in obedience and love, but we do not walk alone. “I will not leave you as orphans,” Jesus said to the disciples that day. “I am coming to you” (John 14:18).
Our command-keeping is not about proving to Christ that we belong to Him. It is what happens when we are His. When we repent of our sin and turn to God, we receive the Holy Spirit as His never-leaving, always-living gift to us. “He is the Spirit of truth”—a Spirit the world cannot receive or understand, a Spirit that teaches and reminds us of the things of Christ (John 14:17,26). He is our Helper, our Counselor.
With hearts so prone to wander, we may be tempted to stand still in our fear or uncertainty. But repentance is not a passive position; it is an active and humble pursuit. It is turning from sin, turning to God, and walking in obedience—all by the grace and mercy of a good Father who loves His children.
This might be my favorite post yet. “Being a Christian meant picking the correct lane and facing the correct direction. No deviating to the left or right, no passing Go or collecting $200. No obvious need for a Savior or real understanding of grace. Just a beeline for the pearly gates…” Thank you for the reminder that a relationship with God should always be the goal.
This part was really powerful to me too. I feel as if we’re taught that Heaven is the goal, and while it is, in a way, we can be with Christ before Heaven because he is with us. He is in us…
“Repentance is an every day event” yes, it is. I mess up every day but am thankful for God’s grace . I do not walk alone, I walk with my Savior.
So blessed and encouraged by today’s message…”I turn from sin / i turn to God / I walk with Him
In repenting and turn FROM sin, TO God I have gained a new focus. Instead of focusing on my sin and guilt associated we are now able to focus on our Almighty Father!!! By shifting our focus this allows us to really press into all He is. We get to know Him more, allowing Him to reveal to us who He is in our sins. This shift of focus has freed me of guilt and shame and helped me to strengthen my ‘ongoing relationship with God as a continual motion.’ I am so encouraged knowing we’re never alone or left as orphans, for Christ comes with us!! (John 14:18) Really leaning His Spirit today praying He leads me supernaturally into a life of renewed peace, glorifying Him and His kingdom
Amen!!
“repentance … is an active and humble pursuit.”
Repeatedly. Daily. Not alone. He expects this from me, He’s not disappointed when I mess up *again*. What a beautiful picture of repentance, I’ve never thought of repentance as something beautiful, relational, or as an encouragement.
Thanks for joining us, April! We love having you in our community!
xoxo-Kaitlin
Wow thanks for summing that up and helping me see the beautiful side of repentance as well!
I love reading about His promise of not leaving us as orphans. It made me wonder about God adopting us. I think he had to. Even as orphans, we were rescued and redeemed, and that would have been more than enough. But without a family, we wouldn’t understand the true unconditional and forever love of a family. Without that, it’d be about good works…trying to prove we’re worthy of His sacrifice. But with His adoption, we know we are His and our actions are born out of that love.
Jesus didn’t leave us as orphans (Matt 14:18) because he knew what it was like to not have a place to rest his own head (Matt 8:20)!
“repentance is an everyday event”
Yesterday’s reading and reflecting helped me to face my pride and the weight of my own selfish grief. To face them straight on – rather than justify them or be led away by distractions – was good work, is good daily work. Grateful that today I am reminded that I do not work through these feelings alone. God’s Spirit is with me, always.
I am never alone.
As long as I believe, His Spirit goes with me.
In the turning, He is near.
As I arise, He rises with me.
I am not alone, He is with me.
Writing this truth again and again, rolling these words over in my mind, holds my soul steady. Postures my heart right where it needs to be: humbly before Him, with a repentant heart, knowing He is here with me. Always with me. By His strength, I can walk forward in love.
Love this, thanks for sharing. Hope you’re having a peace-filled day