Tuesday, June 11, 2013

The Price to Pay

We return to our recent chat during a National League of Poker tournament.  The discussion delved into matters of the Holy Spirit -- and then came this:

kingkupkake:  repentence isnt cheap
Me:  True.
Me:  It cost Jesus His life.
kingkupkake:  poker witness lol
Me:  amen

We don't recall exactly what happened at the table to bring up repentance -- but it's something we all need to do.
After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God.  "The time has come," he said.  "The kingdom of God is near.  Repent and believe the good news!" - Mark 1:14-15


Jesus gave us two things to do.  Believing the "good news" (called the "gospel" in other translations) sounds rather easy.  Repenting sounds a little scary.  Yet Jesus also said....
....But unless you repent, you too will all perish. - Luke 13:3, 5


What does it mean to repent?  A study Bible we have offers this definition: "Make a radical change in one's life as a whole."  Our lives tend to be sinful.  But Jesus came to pay the penalty for our sins.
But this is how God fulfilled what he had foretold through all the prophets, saying that his Christ would suffer.  Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.... - Acts 3:18-19


Some ministers say you should radically change away from playing poker.  We wouldn't go that far -- but we should repent of harmful destructive things often associated with poker.  Addictions such as smoking, drinking and gambling come to mind.  So do the points listed in God's Ten Commandments (Exodus 20 or Deuteronomy 5).

Look over your own life carefully.  Are there things you regret doing or saying?  Is it time to confess them before God - and then walk in a repenting way, instead of simply talking about it?

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