Turn From Sin!

Luke 5:8 “When Simon Peter realized what had happened, he fell to his knees before Jesus and said, “Oh, Lord, please leave me—I’m too much of a sinner to be around you” [with emphasis]

As with a lot of things in God, kneeling down is deeply significant and symbolic. In God’s Presence, the first reason why we kneel is in pursuit and the second reason is we kneel in Repentance. The yoke and weight of sin can be really heavy. But when we kneel in repentance, it’s sorted out.

When we kneel in repentance before God, that yoke is lifted. In Luke 5, Peter had tried all night to fish but he caught nothing. Then Jesus showed up, borrowed his boat to preach a sermon. After preaching, Jesus said lower your net and Peter caught so much fish that he could not rein in. When Peter realized what had happened, he knelt in repentance before Jesus.

Peter experienced God’s goodness and it led to repentance. Yes, the wrath of God exists but His goodness far outweighs it. It is the goodness of God that leads us to repentance. Paul says in Rom.2:4 “Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?” God has been good to you and He expects you to turn away from sin. We can all look back at the year 2017 and see areas where Jesus showed up ad gave us a “huge catch”. Seeing that should lead to repentance but many times we cut the process short.

Let the goodness of God in your life drive you to your knees in repentance. It is possible that this year has been a hard place for you. But you are still alive and you are coming out into your wealthy place, in Jesus Name. I can tell you stories from my own life of times when I actually deserved to be slapped. But God chose not to slap me and blessed me instead. At such times, my only response is to go on my knees and repent before my King.

Some people would take God’s blessings for granted and instead of letting God’s kindness lead to repentance, they take it as authentication of their bad behavior. Jesus never turns away anybody that turns to Him in repentance – never!

Prayer: Father, I ask that You purge me of the things that are sinful in Your sight and lead me in the path that leads to life everlasting, in Jesus Name. Amen!