Many people are dissatisfied with their lives, and they look for something that will change their lives for the better.  They invest billions in self-improvement programs, exercise programs, diets, educational courses, and other self-help programs, but are inevitably disappointed.  In this series, we look at several Biblical principles which will really change your life for the better, because they involve living in a right relationship with God, and that is the only way to experience real  satisfaction and peace.

“For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.”  (Romans 3:23)

    All genuine restoration of hurt relationships begins with repentance.  If we want to have the right relationship with God, we must begin with this principle.  God provides mercy and forgiveness to anyone who will accept it through genuine repentance.  We must first recognize that Romans 3:23 is talking about all of us…me, you, everyone.  This is personal.  If we are not prone to regularly examining our lives and actions, it is easy to fall into the pattern of self-justification.  We may prefer to blame others, or our circumstances, for our ugly thoughts and actions, rather that seeing them for what God calls them.  Like termites in the foundation of our home, we may ignore sin in our own lives, or even persuade ourselves that it doesn’t exist, or that it’s not that big a deal, until the suddenly the house collapses. 

    People are sinful.  All have sinned, in the sense of all have “fallen short” of what God requires.  We must begin by understanding this principle, and understanding that we cannot justify or defend our lives; we can only be genuinely sorry and acknowledge our sin.  By accepting the idea that we are sinful, we take responsibility for our spiritual condition.  

    How do people usually apologize?  They often  do it in a false way.  “If I have offended you, I am sorry.”  Why is that a false apology?  It fails to acknowledge any wrong, as if the action which offended is only bad if it actually hurt the person.  It kind of makes the victim responsible for the problem.  It sort of like saying, “Well, if you are so thin-skinned that you were offended by my remark, then I am sorry that you are not a stronger person.”  We hear politicians make this kind of apology all the time. 

    Another kind of apology is really a manipulation to get out of trouble. The courtroom is often the setting for this kind of apology.  “Please don’t send me to prison. I am really sorry for what I did.”  What the person is usually sorry for, is that he got caught.  Almost every criminal apologizes in the courtroom, but a high percentage will go and commit another crime when given the opportunity.  Is this real repentance?

    This kind of repentance is not what God is looking for.  We are to have a clear picture of what we have done wrong, and to be genuinely remorseful; this is real repentance.  Repentance that begins with excuses for our behavior is not genuine.  If I start to confess my sin by making excuses for it, I have failed to accept my responsibility.  Repentance is all about taking responsibility for our moral failure, looking it squarely in the eye, and literally begging God for forgiveness.

    Why do we see so many failed Christian lives today?  I believe it has something to do with the fact that many of our churches no longer preach or practice repentance.  We live in a culture which excuses bad behavior as someone else’s fault.  We justify our own meanness by blaming others for it.  In the name of developing self-esteem, we are failing to teach our children that a self-centered life is hardly worth living. 

    Repentance is the beginning of spiritual healing.  It creates the condition for God to begin His work in our lives.  It is the foundation of true spiritual growth, and it is the Biblical requirement for salvation.  As long as we are making excuses, blaming others, and trying to justify our actions, we are missing the boat. 

    How do we repent?  First we acknowledge that if we look, we will find ways in which we have violated God’s laws.  We will find ways in which we “fall short of the Glory of God.”  Next, we confess our sins; that means we speak to God specifically and in detail about what we have done wrong. We are prone to want to skip this part.  It is totally unpleasant to look at our failings, if we are genuine about it.  It requires commitment and honesty.  A confession which goes, “If I have sinned, please forgive me,” is just a waste of breath.  Confession needs to be clear, concrete and specific. “Forgive me Lord for speaking a harsh word to him.  Forgive me for cheating on my taxes.  Forgive me for my lustful thoughts.  Forgive me for ignoring that person who asked for help.”  That is what confession means.  We cannot skip it, and expect that we will be forgiven.  

    If we begin to take the idea of repentance and confession seriously, we will experience God’s loving forgiveness, and come to know His spiritual healing.  This idea will change your life. 

(In this series, we will look at several scriptural ideas which will change your life.)