"But I feel so far from God...."

Feel far from God? This may be part of your solution:

 

R e p e n t a n c e.

A word that has continually came to mind the last few weeks, and has come up in conversation a few times as well.

Repent. What does this mean?

 

“Repentance (metanoia, 'change of mind') involves a turning with contrition from sin to God; the repentant sinner is in the proper condition to accept the divine forgiveness." (from www.blueletterbible.org.)

Personally, I don’t think we hear this often enough. Perhaps, many speaking themselves lack a repentant heart, and so how can you pass on a practice that you do NOT do? Perhaps we don’t hear this in sermons because the word itself and what it means makes people squirm in their seat.

Although, my candid commentary is that ‘those who are squirming must have some things to repent of’.

I personally would like to know: why aren’t we hearing this message taught or shared more often?

• Do you realize that John the Baptist’s message was of repentance? (Matthew 3:1-3)
• The 12 disciples set out and peached that men should repent. (Mark 6:12)
• Jesus Himself, directed people to repent. (Matthew 4:17)

(I encourage you to do a word search on it with your concordance.)

With that much emphasis by key men in the Bible, it’s apparent that it’s essential to our spiritual walks. Right?

As I meditated on the word itself, and realized it was THE theme to these men of God’s message I understand that REPENTANCE is what the initial step to SPIRITUAL FREEDOM!

Think about the things that have you in bondage, where you are not free. What do you need to repent of?

Let’s be honest, people these days have an addiction to their phones. It’s ridiculous. Look up from your phone and watch people driving, grocery shopping, even out to dinner with loved ones: PEOPLE ON THEIR PHONES – EVERYWHERE!!!! The biblical term for this is ‘idolatry’. Anything that you are obsessed with, that robs your time and attention from work, your family, and taking care of yourself is IDOLATRY.

Facebook can be idolatrous to some. That’s just speaking to one area. Consider t.v., social media altogether....YIKES!

There are the other addictions that people have been caught up in for ages: alcoholism, chronic shopping, drug use, and workoholism. What else? There are the X-rated addictions that so many are captive to as well.

What about the things that have us in bondage that are internal? Hate, anger, rage toward people. Lack of forgiveness, lack of mercy, laziness, gossipy-judgmentalness.

 

What about lack of trust in God? Anger toward God? Been blaming God for the bad in your life?

These things – these mindsets – these thoughts

should be repented of.

We could sit down and examine our lives all day, putting our relationships under a microscope and scrutinize our feelings and attitudes towards those people and find some thoughts or actions that we need to repent of. Really. Think about how you feel toward God? Your spouse? Your in-laws? Your siblings? Your parents? Your kids? Your boss? Your teacher? Your____fill in the blank_______.

Need to repent of some thoughts, attitudes, and actions? Yea, me too.

I am often reflecting over how I feel toward people. The Spirit is willing to love unconditionally, but the flesh is weak to carry that out!

But folks, the first step toward spiritual growth and a close walk with the Lord is REPENTANCE. It really truly is.

You know that moment you ‘feel’ far from God? Stop and look at your life, your mouth, your heart. Find that things that you need to repent of and ask God to change you! He created you. He can certainly change you. But you have got to first partner with Him and admit where you are far from Him, where you are blowing it, where you have sin in your life and heart. You have to be honest with yourself and Him.

The encouraging thing is that God is longing for you to repent of these things so that you stop avoiding Him. Think about it. When you are caught up in that sinful thinking or behavior, are you feeling close to God? No way. You are NOT acknowledging Him thinking that if you act like He’s not there….He won’t see what you are doing….right? Wrong.

 You’re lack of acknowledgement of God doesn’t impact His attention on you. He is Omni-present. He is always there. Your lack of acknowledgement of God only makes you feel like He doesn’t see you. It serves you.

Moreover, when you acknowledge God, your thoughts and actions that don’t line up with the Word of God will weigh heavy on your heart….and THAT my friend is what you need to repent of. Right there, on the spot, as soon as you feel the conviction!

Is this making sense? Repentance is the bridge back into God’s presence. In God’s presence is where the anointing awaits you, the answers to some prayers, and the peace that surpasses all understanding.

So, what do you need to repent of today? What do you need to agree with God about? What are the things robbing your life, your family, your job of? What can you take to God and leave with Him to take and change?

Folks, we’re not hearing God because our hearing is clouded with the noise of the sins and the world in our lives. Let’s repent now…and daily! And let’s keep our lives free of the bondages that rob us of the freedom in Christ!