LAST-MINUTE REPENTANCE?(10)

*WISDOM FOR TODAY.*

*LAST-MINUTE REPENTANCE? (10)*

*Scripture Treasure.*

John 2:5  *His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.*

*Insight and Highlight.*

A fruit worthy of repentance is obeying God when it is inconvenient to obey Him.

*Scripture Commentaries.*

We all struggle with convenience. We often embrace inconvenience as a general rule, and it determines our decisions. We want to do things at our convenience or do things as long as they are convenient for us to do.

However, when we let convenience decide everything, we surrender too much to our will as against God's will.

A fruit worthy of repentance is doing whatsoever Christ tells you to do, whether convenient or not.

Some people struggle with repentance. Confession with repentance is often a struggle, or why would some resist to leave it till the last moment or wish never to do so.

We often disobey God because we feel inconvenient to do what He wants us to do.

A fruit worthy of repentance is determining if what we consider best for us is the will of God for us, though convenient for us but inconvenient to God. The proof of a fruit worthy of repentance is choosing to do God's will over our will, though it may appear inconvenient for us.

The struggle continues when one asks 'How would one stand and confess before someone who had held one in high esteem?

Some people often tell themselves to go on pretending to be right before God, and since people do not know of their failures, then they need not know about it.

We must know that whatever God tells us to do should not be inconvenient to do.

If God asks you to confess and repent, He has given you the ability to do so.

We must know that what we consider inconvenient is considered convenient to God, knowing fully well that God will not strain us to do what He knows is beyond you.

Four of many scriptures teach us that God gives and prepares us against citing inconvenience

First, God is considerate. He gives *"....according to our several ability.* Matt 25:15.

Second, God is the giver of every good gift (James 1:17), including every convenience.

Third, Gal 6:2 says, *Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.*

He gives the ability to help others in times of need, which never comes easy.

Fourth *"......God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.*, 1 Cor 10:13.

Jesus' mother said it all when she told Jesus ' servants that they should do whatsoever Jesus told them to do.

Jesus knows we love our privacy and convenience.

We must, however, learn that out of His inconvenience, He created convenience for us .

He became poor , so we be rich, 2 Cor 8:9.

He died that we may live, 2 Cor 5:15. He shed His blood for the forgiveness and remission of our sins, Acts 2:38.

From these illustrations, anything we consider inconvenient has received a new definition of convenience.

When Jesus called Peter to the Gentiles, he did not oblige. It was not convenient or reasonable for him to eat *".....any thing that is common or unclean....."*, Acts 10:10-16.

Paul, however, was called. He inconvenienced himself to conveniently obey God

1 cor 9:19 *For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more.*

He became weak to win the weak, 1 Cor 9:22.

Jesus had provided him with what he would be.

In Acts 9:16  *For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.*

Do you find it hard to repent?

Are you afraid because of popular opinions?

Are you under pressure or under a threat not to repent, or are you being assured God would pass over your offense unnoticed?

A repentant heart finds favour with God.

Sin and the pleasure of it for a season, deceive ref Heb 11:25.

Do what people would say about you make it hard or inconvenient for you to repent? Think of the convenience of repentance and the peace of God it will fetch you.

If God calls for repentance, it is important to Him.

If you want to please God and have His blessings on your life, you must be willing to be inconvenienced to do what He wants you to do.

*Remorse corner.*

Those who overcome the inconvenience of repentance will always find the convenience of God's blessings.

*Call to Word action.*

It appeared inconvenient for Jesus to drink the cup but He said *".....O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.* Matt 26:39.

*The Christian clarion duty.*

Those who sought after the convenience of not repenting will always find themselves on the opposite side of God.

*Prayer.*

Lord help those who are struggling with repentance. Let it be convenient for them to repent.

Let every word of God be convenient for me to obey in Jesus name.

Good morning all, and have a blessed day.

God bless you.