“…the Lord wants all to come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9)

​   Repentance!  It’s the word and topic of all of the Scripture readings for this Sunday.  It means to turn, away from sin and toward God.  So it includes the confession of sin, and faith in God and the forgiveness of sins He gives to all.
 
   But let’s keep in mind a couple of things:

1. Repentance is a good thing!  So often it is put into a context of being bad and punished and filled with fear and judgment.  But instead, repentance is a turning toward a most wonderful and gracious and loving God!  

So think of walking from our house north, and then changing your mind and walking south (where Joy Ice Cream Shop is :)  That’s a wonderful experience of repentance/turning to get ice cream (unless you are on a diet; then forget the last two sentences).  And God has a lot more than ice cream to offer to all who look to Him :).
 

1. Repentance is like everything else, along with grace, forgiveness, faith and the Christian life…it ALL happens by God’s will and power, not ours.  

As the Scriptures tell us, “God’s kindness leads you to repentance” (Romans 2:4)
…“when you were dead in sin, God made you alive” (Col 2:13)
And so as we read in the meaning to the 3rd Article of the Creed, “I believe that I cannot by my own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ or come to Him, but the Holy Spirit has called me by the Gospel…”
As the prodigal son turned toward home after his going astray; it was remembering what he had when with his father that caused him to “come to his senses” and return home.  And it was his father who was waiting, looking, and ran toward his son, hugging him and celebrating with him!
 
So I invite you to join me in repentance!  Turning to the Living and Loving and Always Merciful and Gracious God!  He will receive your repentance.  Indeed, He is working this repentance in our hearts and minds even as we read this.  
 
Happy Advent!!  As we prepare for the Advent of our King, turning toward Him and looking for His presence in our lives, now and forever!