THE "R" WORD

"As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent." - Revelation 3:19

There is a Biblical word that is shunned and disliked by Christians and non-Christians alike.  This word evokes a harsh response when this word is used.  Most consider this word offensive.  If you didn't know better, you'd think this word is profane, but God Himself used it multiple times in the Bible.  This "insulting" word is the "R" word --- repentance.

The irony about this word is that the proper practice of it can produce such awesome results.  When Biblical repentance is practiced, a sinner gets saved, a marriage is restored, the prodigal returns home, and misunderstandings are forgiven.  Without genuine repentance, there will never be revival.  We will never see racial tensions eased or social barriers removed until real repentance is practiced.

Often unbelievers are told to repent.  They are told to "turn or burn."  In all fairness, the Bible does tell sinners to repent.  The real problem I see in America is the lack of repentance being practiced in the church.  In Revelation chapter 3, John was told to write to the Laodicean church.  The Lord's message to that church is convicting.  I see much of the Laodicean's sins in the American church today (read about it yourself in Revelation 3:14-22). 

While we're busy telling America to get her house in order, our own house (the church) is in a mess.  It is hypocrisy to preach repentance to sinners if you refuse to practice repentance yourself.  Believers should be practicing repentance on a daily basis because we sin daily.  

The Lord told the Laodicean believers, "As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent."  Notice a few things about the Lord's harsh words:

1.  GOD CARES FOR HIS ERRING CHILDREN

First of all, the Lord states, "As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten," (emphasis added).  Although a Christian may stray, he has not forfeited God's love.  It is possible for a Christian to lose his fellowship with God, but not his relationship with God.  The Lord loves His erring children, but He does not love their sin.

2.  GOD CORRECTS HIS ERRING CHILDREN

God disciplines His children when they sin.  The Lord said, "As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten," (emphasis added).  I believe that a loving Father is disciplining the American Church.  Here in America, Christians tolerate heresy, apostasy, immorality, and compromise.  We ought to be embarrassed and angry to see the Name of Christ used to manipulate people into sending large sums of money to television "ministers."  What a sad testimony of the American Church that we condone unbiblical behavior and false doctrine.  We are far from God's standards of holiness. 

3.  GOD CHALLENGES HIS ERRING CHILDREN

Finally, the Lord states, "... be zealous therefore, and repent."  The Christians at Laodicea were not only challenged to repent, they were told to be zealous in their repentance.  God was serious about their situation.  He expected swift and complete repentance.  I'm sure this message was as unpopular then as it is now. 

The word "repentance," is often misunderstood and misapplied.  Repentance is a change of mind that leads to a change of behavior.  Sometimes a politician or preacher gets caught in a sinful lifestyle.  When the noted sinner addresses his obvious guilt, he talks about repentance.  But does he really repent?  The reason repentance is so offensive to people is because it requires them to get honest about their sins and take drastic action so they won't repeat the sins.

There are two important things required to practice Biblical repentance.  First of all, we must repent with the right motive.  There is a difference between worldly sorrow and Biblical repentance.  When you are sorry solely because of the consequences of your actions, then that is worldly sorrow.  For instance, if you are sorry because you were "caught," doing something wrong, the sorrow you feel is probably the product of shame and embarrassment.   When a person repents Biblically, his sorrow is primarily based upon the fact that he has personally offended, dishonored and brought shame to his Lord.  Such repentance yields a positive change that is rare these days.

Secondly, we must repent in the right manner.  We must be honest with God about our actions.  We must be humble before our Holy Father and seek His mercy.  When we think about the holiness of God, it should produce a holy fear that drives us to our knees.  When we consider the cross and recognize that it was our sins that required such a sacrifice, it should cause us to be sickened by our sins.  When we sin, we truly hurt the One who loves us most.  Let that fact sink in your mind. 

The command to repent is shunned by many and practiced by few.  There is nothing that will get your life turned around faster than Biblical repentance. 

I believe that we'd see multitudes of sinners come to repentance if we, as Christians, truly practiced repentance ourselves.  Revival is the normal outcome of widespread repentance. 

It is time that we practice what we preach.  "Be zealous therefore, and repent."