final repentance, daily

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Jer. 3:6-18; Rom. 1:28-2:11; John 5:1-18

Yet for all this her treacherous sister Judah did not return to me with her whole heart, but in pretense, declares the Lord.
(Jeremiah 3:10)

3 Do you suppose, O man—you who judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourself—that you will escape the judgment of God? 4 Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?
(Romans 2)

Do any of us really repent with our whole heart? Do any of us not presume upon the riches of God's kindness and forbearance and patience? Truly, as Jeremiah will say later, the heart is deceitful. Lord, have mercy.

This is why, I think, we must "lose" our self (Mark 8:35) continually. We must utterly, finally, (as) fully (as possible), "destroy" / crucify / bury / put off our old, self-driven, rebellious, pretentious self day after day after day. Daily, we ought to pray for revelation - of the glory of God in Christ, and of a true assessment of our own hearts.

I am so thankful for God's kindness and forbearance and patience! And for his promise to send faithful shepherds to lead us and teach us in truth and to heal us. And for his promise to no longer dwell in the midst of his people via a box with manna and commandments and even the mercy seat, but by his very presence on the throne in the restored city of his people. Until that day, we must participate with him in the continuing conversion of our believing, belonging, and behaving. We must dwell in a body (beautiful and glorious, but like a wooden box nonetheless) that still carries an ingrained waywardness (wretched man that I am in this body of death! Romans 7), and yet dwelling in this very body is the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead, working life in us, shining light in us, working salvation in us - for the honor and glory of him who is kind, forbearing, and patient. Thanks be to God.

Shepherd your people, Lord. Restore us, shine your face upon us and be gracious to us.

Lord Jesus Christ, son of the living God
Have mercy on me, a sinner