Luke 13 talks a lot about repentance. Unfortunately, organized religion has often given repentance a negative connotation. The concept of repentance is change. Think about the changes that take place in a man named “Scrooge” in the popular story, “A Christmas Carol”. We know how 3 spirits come to visit him and show him the reality of his life and how it affects others. And Scrooge changes! He makes a complete transition of how he lives his life. And we love the fact that he changed.
The story of Christmas is all about change! 2 Corinthians 3:16-18 says, “But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” God isn’t trying to enslave us with burdensome rules but he wants to change our lives for the better, he wants to free us! This change/repentance is so much more than trying to turn away from a certain sin…it is turning to Jesus and seeking to become more like him. Luke 12:31, 34
Change is possible. God doesn’t leave us to try to change on our own. He gives us the power of the Holy Spirit to help us as we turn away from that which pulls us down and we turn towards Jesus and place our trust there. Yes, God is in the changing business!
Thought Questions:
Think about some of the things that God has brought to your attention in the past and helped you to grow in.
Think of one thing that you would like to change in 2023 and bring it to God.