RESTORED Week 9 - The Gift of Repentance

Watch the Video for Week 9: “The gift of Repentance.”

Scriptures Mentioned Today

• 1 John 1:5-10
• Psalm 32:1-7
• Hebrews 4:15-16

Your Notes from the Teaching

we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses … (Heb 4:15)

Many words come to mind to describe what God is like — majestic. Holy, glorious, kind and loving. Have you ever considered that he is also sympathetic? Normally, we think of sympathy to those who are in mourning, and we will send a card or offer some comfort to ease the pain. But we are also in need of sympathy (or to use a more modern word — empathy) when we feel trapped in some kind of sin or pain from the sins of others. Perhaps you, like many, have even said to someone trying to comfort or encourage you, “You just don’t get it?” You’d never understand.”

I’ve got great news! Jesus does get it. In an act of love that no man-made “god” would have ever done, God Himself took on flesh and experienced life just as one of us. Subject to weakness, temptations, and having full potential to fail and sin just as as we do. He experienced it all as a man.

Ever felt betrayed, abandoned, or cast aside by those you love? Check. Been tempted to do things you know you shouldn’t do — to the point where you’re ready to cave in? Check. Questioning God’s will and plan for you because it leads down a scary road? Check. Feeling weary and ready to give up on things that are important to you and God? Check. All of this and more. (I mean, if you were the devil and you knew who Jesus was, you’d probably unload every tool in your disposal to make him fail, wouldn’t you?)

Now, if Jesus was like us, we might think he’d be sitting there with a holier-than-thou expression saying, “I made It through all that. What’s your excuse?. But He is not like us in this way. He is no shamer of the tempted. Instead, hear his voice saying — “I get it. That’s a tough one. Will you let me help you through this one?”

Will you? Will you receive the invitation that follows this verse of scripture? “draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

You will not be disappointed.

It was a full house in our church of 2000 one Sunday in late 2004, and many were eager to hear the testimonies of a veteran who had just returned from Iraq with some incredible stories of God’s protection on him. I introduced this dear brother, whose role had been to go ahead of the troops to clear the road and streets of IED’s. He was the point of the spear for his platoon, and he was fearless (or so I thought). He came forward to thunderous applause from a grateful and loving congregation, all of whom were happy to have him back safe. I embraced him, handed him the microphone, and had him turn around to face his friends. Only then did I see the look of absolute terror that had taken over countenance.

No less than 3 times, he said, “Wow, there’s sure a lot of people here.” He looked at me wide eyed, almost pleadingly — as if to say, “why don’t you tell the stories?” I laughed out loud and reminded him, “these people love you!” He then laughed with me, which snapped him out of it, and he went on to share some of the most amazing stories of miraculous intervention I have ever heard.

Why did he freeze? How could a man whose job was to face death on a daily basis go silent when asked to share his heart with a group of friends? After this incident (and many more like it), I am now certain that the fear of being seen and known is greater than the fear of death.

A courageous person will put himself in harm’s way without hesitation, but it takes another kind of courage to put our heart on the line. Why is being known such a terrifying prospect? Perhaps because whenever we have been exposed in the past it has brought mockery and judgment? Loss of friendships? Betrayal? Humiliation? We keep our deepest weaknesses and temptations hidden because we fear the isolation that may come when others reject us. Freedom begins when we open our lives completely to God. Being fully known and loved by Him opens the door to richer relationships, as John described in this week’s memory verse.

“But if we walk in the light as He is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, His Son, cleanses us from all unrighteousness. “ (1 John 1:7)

Surely at some point in your childhood (adulthood, too?) you’ve been told, “shame on you” for something you did wrong. What the origin of this expression is, only the devil knows, but we can say with a certainty that it was not the Father we have been learning of and experiencing together. The power of shame is real, and the trap of shame can lock us in for life if we allow it.

We should hastily add that shame is often confused with conviction, so here is a helpful verse to discern which one you’re feeling:

2 Corinthians 7:10 For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death.

In other words, if it produces a hopeless feeling of “I’ll never overcome thing. God surely must be ashamed to call me a son/ daughter. What’s the use?” — then it is not the conviction that comes from God. But if it produces an inner compulsion to overcome, and a sense of, “This is not who I am. Together Jesus and I will overcome this!” —then it is from God.

On the cross, Jesus already carried the shame of our sin. Like Hebrews put it: “...for the joy set before Him (Jesus) endured the cross, despising the shame…” He became ashamed so that His children could never be put to shame again.

What shame are you carrying? Can you see it crucified in Christ? Will you, by faith, trust Him to bear it on the cross, and walk away free from it? Will you stand in confidence before God and your own conscience, rejecting the voice of the one who screams, shame on you?

This is your portion, sweet child of God. Go in shame no longer.