Making the Deal
Repentance

Scripture Reading: Luke 13:1-9

Key Verse: Luke 13:5

“I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.”

The phrase, “last, but not least,” could apply to this last devotional for January’s emphasis. We’ve been talking about the “deal” God offers to all mankind. This offer does not stand alone. There are other offers all around us. Like this popular TV show, God continually asks: Deal or no deal? We are free moral agents; we get to choose who and what we will follow in this life.

        This last week, we have been talking about what it takes to choose God’s offer. Today, Jesus makes it clear in our scripture reading, that “repentance” is essential. Unless we repent, we will perish. It is critical for us to understand what repentance means and then choose to do it!

Repentance is “turning from” an attitude or a deed that is dishonoring to God. This “turning from” is critical to true repentance. Somehow, we have felt that repentance is about “feeling” sorrow. These feelings may or may not be a part of our repentance, but our feelings have little to do with true, biblical repentance. Repentance is a choice to be made, not a feeling to be felt. I choose to believe God and believe He is right and worthy to be followed. Repentance is turning from my sin and walking in the opposite direction. Repentance is creating a new behavior pattern that excludes the sin that is being deleted from our lives!

We will be slaves to something: sin or God. We choose. Repent of your sin; make the deal with God through Jesus Christ!

Father, thank you for my salvation that came through Jesus. Today I will make decisions to walk away from sin and be free in you. In Jesus’ Name, amen.