Two Actions That Will Save Your Life
- kmlemen
- Oct 15, 2024
- 4 min read
Updated: Oct 15, 2024
Welcome to October’s issue of The Overflow. Potential trigger warning: this one is going to hit on the importance of repentance, the sorrow of regrets, the realities of sin, and the anchoring hope of belief in Christ.
Reflecting on the month, I think the thing that has stood out to me most from my time with God has to do with His desire for us to repent AND believe. I think all too often we can find ourselves trying to do one without the other, but the Word clearly calls us to both.
I had a friend in town recently and she was sharing with me her revelation related on the topic and so as we looked at it together my eyes were opened to is the fact that it is actually possible to do one without the other… and the effect of that can be devastating. Let me explain.
In Mark 1:15, we see Jesus give these instructions as He went on His journey in Galilee: “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”
If you’ve been around Christian circles for any amount of time, you’re probably familiar with the word “repent” which quite literally means to change your mind. It’s a call to change the way we think about something and come into agreement with God’s stance on it. And it wasn’t a new concept from Jesus here – there are many places in the Old Testament where the word shows up and context indicates a feeling of sorrow for sinful actions and turning from them. And don’t get me wrong – this is AMAZING; we must do this as believers.
But it’s where we turn after changing our mind that is important. The direction our heart takes next is what has the opportunity to bring true freedom. We must not only agree with God on the matter at hand, but also believe the good news Jesus was preaching – the Kingdom message of the hope that is in Christ alone.
To illustrate this further let’s look at the life of Judas Iscariot, who we know as the betrayer. He walked with Jesus for 3 years just like all the other disciples but for 30 pieces of silver, he made a decision that would be the catalyst for the crucifixion. And we get insight into the end of Judas’ life in Matt 27:1-5 where we read that he was “seized with remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders.” After Judas confessed to them that he had sinned and they essentially told him that was his problem, we see him discard the money and hang himself.
Judas was full of sorrow as he acknowledged what he did was wrong, but what he lacked to show in the moment was a turn towards God and the belief in the good news available to him in Christ… so without that, all that was left was unbearable regret. The harsh reality about sin – big and little – is that we cannot take it back. Once something is done, we can’t undo it. And without turning toward God and believing the good news of the Gospel, this can be crushing.
It's why we read texts like 2 Cor 7:10 that says “Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.”
Now, let’s take the opposite scenario where maybe we believe in the good news of the Gospel, but we lack repentance for sinful thoughts or actions that are opposite to what our Creator had in mind when He designed us. Here, only belief of His grace is not enough. The additional requirement is to come into agreement with Him on the matter and change our ways. I’m sure you can think of countless examples of how this may play out in the world today – scenarios where people point to “Christians” and call them hypocrites. Make no mistake, our sins grieve the heart of God and have very real consequences.
This is why we read texts like Romans 6:1-2 that make it clear we are not to run around doing what we want and taking advantage of God’s grace. Paul argues that Christians should not continue to sin, and that they should instead offer themselves as instruments of righteousness.
So, friends, it’s both – not either/or. These two things will save your life. One commentator put it like this: “Without faith repentance becomes despair, and without repentance faith becomes only presumption.” Jesus joined these two things together for a reason – and if we truly grasp both, we will live in the freedom Christ died for.
I encourage you to pause and ask yourself – is there anything in your life where repentance may be needed -sinful or unhealthy thought patterns, behaviors or actions? If so, change your mind & direction and get in agreement with God! Conversely, is there anything that needs to be infused with belief of some good news? If so, know that His grace is sufficient!
I pray that as you are obedient to Christ’s charge to repent and believe, that you live in an overflow of freedom and joy. By yielding to both commands, I am confident you will find the abundant life Jesus came to give you!
Lastly, here’s some additional content that has benefited me this month. I hope it spurs you on too:
Lastly, remember this truth: your life and what you do with it matters. The world needs you, and as you follow and remain in Jesus, you WILL bear fruit!
Much Love,
Kellie
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