Listening To The Word - 1 YearSample

Repentance and our Capacity to LOVE

Luke 7:29-30, 47
“All the people, even the tax collectors, when they heard Jesus’ words, acknowledged that God’s way was right, because they had been baptized by John. But the Pharisees and experts in the law rejected God’s purpose for themselves, because they had not been baptized by John…‘her many sins have been forgiven – for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little, loves little.’”

Our capacity to love God and experience God’s forgiveness in our lives is determined by the depth of our repentance. The baptism of John was a baptism of repentance. That repentance softened the hearts of people to the gospel of the kingdom that Jesus shared. The Pharisee who hosted Jesus felt that he was doing Jesus a favor by inviting him to his home for dinner. Yet the prostitute who wiped Jesus’ feet with tears, hair and perfume knew the depth of repentance and corresponding forgiveness that she needed for freedom. Receiving the gospel as a logical choice without conviction of sin and repentance produces cold-hearted believers who love little.

How deep has repentance gone in our lives?

Repentance is a path we walk, not a one-time event. Without a depth of initial repentance of salvation, we will neglect this path. We can’t short-circuit the conviction of the Holy Spirit in our rush to make converts or the result is cold hearts with little capacity to receive and give God’s love.

Lord Jesus, thank you for the gift of repentance. Thank you for your incredible love for me.