Yesterday I talked about the unpopular and much-neglected process of repentance.

In fact, since it flies in the face of our Do-Anything-That-Makes-You-Happy society I kind of wonder if some of you will actually unsubscribe to this devotional after you read this! 🙂

But since repentance is biblical, it matters. And what matters to God should matter to us.

Repentance is making a U-Turn. In Romans 2:4 Paul says that “God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance…” With that in mind, we want to be honest with God and confess the ways we’re living that don’t honour him. And it’s also deciding to live differently as a result.

Maybe you concede that this is a good idea. But then the week starts, and you start working through your to-do list, and this idea of repentance fades from your mind’s eye.

That’s why it can be helpful to name something SPECIFICALLY you need to repent from:

“I will repent from _____________.”

Ambiguity is the enemy of action. If you’re unsure about whether it’s important, or whether or not you have something to repent from, or whether or not it will make any difference in your daily life… you’ll probably just do nothing. As a result, you may miss out on God’s renovating power in your life!

So be honest about whatever thoughts, attitudes or actions you have that don’t honour God. Then apologize, and decide to live differently as a result.

Ambiguity is the enemy of action. So get specific.

“I will repent from ____________”

By Matthew Ruttan
–Hi! Do you want to help with my new book of devotionals called “Up”? If so, why not leave a short review on Amazon? (If you’re in Canada click here, and if you’re in America click here). Thanks!
-Today’s “Up!” is based on my Sunday podcast called “Repentance for Dummies.” Listen in here!