{"id":2345,"date":"2012-01-03T10:18:08","date_gmt":"2012-01-03T15:18:08","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.beliefnet.com\/simplelife\/?p=2345"},"modified":"2012-01-03T10:18:08","modified_gmt":"2012-01-03T15:18:08","slug":"repentance-is-it-still-needed","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/simplelife\/2012\/01\/repentance-is-it-still-needed.html","title":{"rendered":"Repentance? Is it still needed?"},"content":{"rendered":"

If \u00a0location is the key to successful ministry, he was doomed for failure.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>He lived and ministered in an area that was a cross between our western prairies and the desert. \u00a0Yet, the city came to him. \u00a0There were no roads or public transportation so they walked.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>He didn’t wear the latest fashions but clothes that were considered strange even in his day. \u00a0Yet, the crowds listened with an intensity that demanded action.<\/p>\n

Even his dietary habits were suspect. \u00a0But the words that flowed from his gut compelled people to return again and again, seeking God’s favor.<\/p>\n

However, it was his message that would be the most repugnant to our modern ears. \u00a0His message was “Repent!” \u00a0He didn’t shyly request but demanded that the entire nation of Judea turn from their wickedness and return to their God.<\/p>\n

Studying the history of the nation of Judea, it would seem that his message of repentance was misplaced. \u00a0This was a people who had learned their lesson through the hard displacement times in Babylon. \u00a0These men and woman were faithful to Temple worship. \u00a0Synagogues had been established so that the study of the scriptures could be maintained between the prescribed feasts and worship times. \u00a0Even though no prophets had been heard for more than 400 years, these were a people who adhered to the law of Moses and strictly observed the precepts demanded by the religious leaders of the day.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>As I shared these observations with the Special Gathering members who are mentally challenged (intellectually disabled), I asked if they didn’t get tired of people who are continually giving them correction. \u00a0Do we like always doing the wrong thing at the wrong time? \u00a0Their heads bobbed up and down in recognition. \u00a0“It’s hard to take,” one member observed out loud.<\/p>\n

However, I shared with our members that this isn’t a problem merely within the disability community. \u00a0It is a universal problem. \u00a0It seems that every person on earth is caught repeatedly “a half-hour late and $5 short.” \u00a0When we are honest with ourselves, late at night or when we look into the mirror shaving in the morning, \u00a0we must admit that there is no hope for us without the mercy of a loving God.<\/p>\n

John, the Baptist, was preparing the hearts and minds of God’s people for the emergence of the Messiah, Jesus. \u00a0 John said, “Turn from your sin. \u00a0Confess your faults. \u00a0Get ready for the arrival of the Messiah.”<\/p>\n

Too often, John’s message is lost to me because I’m too busy doing good works. \u00a0Sadly, I identify too much with the Jews who lived in this pivotal time in history. \u00a0I am “a good person.” \u00a0But God desires people who are holy and fully seeking Him. \u00a0Replacing “goodness” with repentance is my favorite Christian hobby.<\/p>\n

There is always a need for honest self-examination that is ready to turn from our selfish and wicked way and return to a loving, forgiving Lord.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

If \u00a0location is the key to successful ministry, he was doomed for failure. He lived and ministered in an area that was a cross between our western prairies and the desert. \u00a0Yet, the city came to him. \u00a0There were no roads or public transportation so they walked. He didn’t wear the latest fashions but clothes…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":387,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5,20,3,40,186,49,16],"tags":[21,688,7,699,715,701,694,689,718,6],"class_list":["post-2345","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-christianity","category-church","category-developmental-disabilities","category-faith","category-hope","category-inspiration","category-intellectual-disability","tag-christian","tag-christianity","tag-developmental-disabilities-2","tag-faith","tag-hope","tag-inspiration","tag-intellectual-disability","tag-mentally-challenged-community","tag-repentance","tag-simple-scriptural-truths"],"yoast_head":"\nRepentance? Is it still needed? - A Simple Life, a Childlike Faith<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/simplelife\/2012\/01\/repentance-is-it-still-needed.html\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Repentance? Is it still needed? - A Simple Life, a Childlike Faith\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"If \u00a0location is the key to successful ministry, he was doomed for failure. He lived and ministered in an area that was a cross between our western prairies and the desert. \u00a0Yet, the city came to him. \u00a0There were no roads or public transportation so they walked. 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