Principles of the Doctrine of Christ: Repentance (continued)

Beloved, in continuance of our theme from the “Principles of the Doctrine of Christ” series, entitled “Repentance” – remember, Paul shared with us that Jesus is not “worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things… and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us: For in him we live, and move, and have our being… Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device. And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent” (Acts 17:25-30). In other words, Beloved, Paul is saying that God wants us to change our minds for the better, amend our ways, and abhor (detest) our past sins!! Why? Because God does not dwell in sin – sin will separate us from God. That’s why Paul explains that we “have our being” (our existence), only in the Kingdom of God – “in Him,” His statutes, commandments, and ordinances. The only way that “we live and move” forward is “in Him” – in His directives. Also, remember that Jesus is not “worshipped with men’s hands” (in human opinions or concepts). In God’s eyes, humanism is another form of idol worship! All of this teaches us that when God tells us to perform any task, we must be willing to change all of the plans we have made in our minds in order to carry out God’s will!

Precious Ones, this is the only logical thing to do! Seeing that there is nothing we can offer to God for our sins, is there any wonder that He demands REPENTANCE (a mind perpetually opened to His will)? Should our God not have what He demands? Isaiah taught us why we should always be willing to repent when He commands us to do so. “All our righteousnesses are as filthy rags” (Isaiah 64:6) and must be discarded as such. Therefore, in order for us to be considered clean in God’s eyes, we must turn away from our own righteousness and turn to God. Then, He will clothe us in His righteousness. The song says that “He is all my righteousness, I stand complete in Him, and worship Him – worship Him, Jesus Christ our Lord” – not men’s hands or concepts!

I will write more on this subject next week. Until then, have a happy, blessed, prosperous, and healthy New Year, in Jesus’ Name.

I love you all SO very much,
In His love,

Pastor William L. McCoy