Tuesday, October 06, 2009

First Comes Repentance Then Comes Obedience

Why do I repent of the same thing over and over again? It is easy to repent if I am only saying I am sorry that I got caught doing something, saying something or acting in some manner that offends God. But true repentance includes obedience.

Kathy Howard writes in BEFORE HIS THRONE of a time that she had found herself in an area she had never driven before. She realized she was heading in the wrong direction and had to exit the highway, go under it, turn around and start driving the right way. Something had to be done in order to go in the right direction again. In Malachi 3:6-10 God calls for repentance with complete obedience. Kathy Howard also says this: "When we are in sin, God calls us to stop heading in the wrong direction. But stopping is not enough. He also calls us to turn around and head in the right direction. He wants us to follow Him in obedience."

Our obedience, or lack thereof, reveals a number of things. Do I love the Lord my God with all my heart, soul and mind? Do I have any other gods before God? Have I lost the fear of the Lord? What do I really believe about who God is and what He says? What is my attitude toward sin and following Jesus completely? God reveals our sin so that we can repent but we must add to repentance obedience or we will go 'round and 'round and never get headed in the right direction.

In Malachi 3:12 God tells the people that their obedience will bring about blessings. But the blessing isn't for them alone. Others (nations) will notice their obedience and will testify of the goodness of God. What an opportunity we have to share the goodness of God with others through obedience. Our obedience to God from a proper heart attitude speaks volumes to those around us. Take a glance in the rearview mirror. Is anyone following Jesus because you have been faithful to obey Him? By the way, the definition of insanity is doing the same thing numerous times but hoping for different results.

Are you and I ready to turn around and head in the right direction?

Kathy Withers

This year's BINDING UP THE BROKEN-HEARTED: FAMILY AND FRIENDS ADDICTION SEMINAR is shaping up to be our best yet. You won't want to miss it. October 8, 2009 8:30 AM -3:30 PM at America's KESWICK. The $25.00 registration fee covers the sessions, materials, continental breakfast, lunch and snacks. Pastors attend free with 5 paid reservations. Every pastor, youth ministry worker, parent of a teen and loved ones of addicted family and friends should attend this seminar. Call today for your reservation 800.453.7942 or 732.350.1187.

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