My son argued with me, again, over picking up his room. We both got upset, he got a time-out, after which he ended up cleaning his room like he needed to...then he apologized to me, again. My other son refused to turn off the video game, again. We both got upset, he got a time-out, after which he wasn't allowed back on the video game...then he apologized to me, again. Both situations, again and again. Were they truly sorry afterwards? I believe they were. However, they did not change anything about their behavior the next time I asked for the bedroom to be cleaned or the video game to be turned off. It happens again and again and again. They're sorry, but they never did what I was hoping for - to repent. They never changed their behavior, and we all had to endure the power struggles and frustration that go along with it all. Sometimes, saying I'm sorry isn't enough.
Repent. Exactly what God graciously waits for us to do. To turn from our sin, not just be sorry for what we've done - to change our behavior! Matthew 4:17, our verse this week, "From that time on Jesus began to preach, 'Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near' ". He tells us specifically - change our hearts and minds...not to stop at being sorry when we sin. Repent - turn from our sin - and for good reason. He is near. He wants our lives to be better than what we can have on our own. When we are obedient and tune our hearts to God's desires, we experience the grace He has waiting for us. The peace, joy, and loving relationship He offers us freely.
