Another conclusion: Repent.
Please draw further conclusions. Make a life-long discipline of looking at the Scripture from time to time through the 7-point filter. Consider where the Lord allows you to identify absolutes, convictions, opinions, and questions. Continue seeking God in this way as a means of knowing Him and loving Him.
Repentance, then, is not the final conclusion, but one other conclusion that the Holy Spirit has put to me.
I have gone to God’s Word for so many other reasons than to seek Him.
I have relied on man’s thoughts above God’s Wisdom.
I have traded in the Living God for worthless idols.
In His kindness, God reveals these things to me and leads me to repentance.
I have gathered “absolutes” and become full of pride. I judge those who fail to acknowledge the truth that I have come to know. I talk more about opinions and questions than I do about absolutes. I think more about debatable, unsettled issues than I do about Jesus as my Lord. What does this do for my faith?
Think how dangerous it is to spend more time focused on man than basking in the presence of God. Do I look to pastors, podcasts, blogs, and bumper-stickers for edification and theology rather than the Holy Scripture? Do I allow my mind to be consumed with meaninglessness when it was created to be infatuated with The Infinite?
God kindly opens my ears to hear Him say, ‘Yes. You have done all of this and worse.’ But not to condemn me; there is no condemnation in Christ. Rather, it is to draw me near in repentance. And there in the middle of repentance is the safest place in the world to be. Repent–not because of feelings of guilt or shame, but because you feel a godly grief. Godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death. (2 Cor. 7:10).
Jesus already paid the price for my evil. And Jesus, the Judge, already declared me innocent. Why cheapen that grace and try to feel guilty?
The Bible says, “Bear fruit in keeping with repentance.” And It talks about the fruit of the Spirit being peace and joy and goodness. And how we bear fruit only when we are connected to the Vine, which is Jesus. So repent to be near to God. Repent to break down walls separating you from your Lord. Repent as an expression of love to God, having realized how loved you are. However God moves you to–with ashes on your head; tearing your robe; beating your breast; crying face down; closing your eyes; being still; smiling in your Father’s arms. Whatever it looks like, turn away from what God has kindly revealed to you as bad, and turn toward What your Spirit longs for. This repentance leads to love and joy and faithfulness. Let’s obey God and repent often so that we can know Him better and love Him more.
rlowenfield
