When was the last time you were made aware of your sin and you took the time to repent? If you’re like me, it may take you a minute to remember when last this happened. Confession and repentance are a crucial part of a Christians walk with the Lord and may need to happen more often than we think.

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So it was, when the Angel of the LORD spoke these words to all the children of Israel, that the people lifted up their voices and wept. Judges 2:4

I was visiting with my grandfather the other day and he was telling me about a Christian magazine article he had been reading. In it the author asked a question that got Grandpa’s attention. “When was the last time you were made aware of your sin and you took the time to repent?”

In the beginning of the book of Judges the Israelites were stilling walking with the Lord. They knew Him, they heard His voice and they responded to His word. So when the Angel of the Lord appeared to them and made them aware of their sin they were deeply convicted. 

They were convicted and they repented.

The Holy Spirit convicts us of sin in the same way the Angel of Lord convicted the Israelites. And He is pointing our sin out for a purpose — to ultimately turn us to Christ. 

Far too often, when I have been made aware of my sin, I have shrugged my shoulders and said, “Oh, well, I’m a sinner. What else is to be expected?”  Other times I’ve let the guilt press down on me so heavily and I have strained to do better next time. Yet the next time never turned out better. 

Conviction shouldn’t lead to shrugging shoulders. It shouldn’t lead to trying harder. Conviction should lead to repentance. And yes, just like the Israelites, sometimes weeping is part of repentance. Guilt is part of repentance — because we are guilty, but guilt is not the end. 

1 John 1:9 says that “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

The punishment for our sin is death. So, to be blunt, we sinners deserve to die. Not just a physical death, but a spiritual one which means eternal separation from God. 

But God, being slow to anger and full of mercy, is willing to forgive and cleanse as long as we listen to the conviction of the Holy Spirit, confess, and repent.

Grandpa told me that shortly after reading that article, he was made aware of a specific sin in his life. He took the time to repent and quickly enjoyed the blessing of peace. May each of us also become people who are willing to confess our sin as soon as we are made aware of it. May we recognize our need for the work of the cross, the forgiveness our sins and the cleansing work of Christ.

Lord in heaven, please make a women who recognizes the loving nudges of your Spirit. May I be humble enough to let Him convict me and lead me to repentance. Each time I confess my sin I trust that you forgive and will cleanse me. And I pray that it will lead to a closer walk with you. In the name of your son I pray. Amen.

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Friends,

As with all #QuietlyThrough posts, this was written while reading quietly through God’s word. If you’re looking for a simple Bible reading plan that moves at an easy pace then the Quietly Through reading plan may be for you.

Only by grace,

Kelli

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