True repentance

Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?” Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.” – John 6:28-29 (NIV)

We are doers. Just tell us what we need to do. We’ll “get ‘er done” and mark it off our list. But what if the most important thing we were supposed to do didn’t actually start with “doing”? What if we needed to do less and believe more?

Think about a sin you’ve struggled with. Odds are the acting out of the sin that got your attention was a secondary, or even tertiary symptom. In the discourse known as the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus alluded to as much. Before there was adultery, there was lust. Before there was murder, there was rage.

You shall have no other gods before me.  –Exodus 20:3 (NIV)

In fact every sin, at its root, can likely be traced back to a transgression of the first commandment. At some point, on some level, my sin represents an idol. I have taken my eyes off of God and given my affections to something else. I have failed to trust in God’s ability or His goodness to provide what I need and made a decision to take what I want by myself, for myself.

Ironically, even areas of giftedness and holy habits can become fuel for our idol worship. The ability to steward wealth and possessions becomes a desire to accumulate that leads to greed. The talent for administrative organization leads to a need to control. My gifts become a source of pride. I begin to derive my sense of worth from the admiration, affection, and approval they inspire. Even my quiet time, instead of the practice of spiritual disciplines designed to put me in proximity to the heart of God so that the Spirit of Christ can accomplish His work in me, can become routine, a box I check before getting on with my day or a merit badge I’m intent on earning.

I do believe; help my unbelief!  –Mark 9:24b (NASB)

How do we get back on track? How do we believe more? We must practice true repentance. When convicted of sin by the Holy Spirit, our tendency is often to feel shame, express regret, ask for forgiveness, then resolve to do better. We tend to minimize the incident and take steps to get back to normal relations as quickly as possible, without dealing with the sin and idolatry behind the sin.

Next time, try this: Look for the reasons that surface sin seemed so appealing. What need were you trying to meet? Look for the idol that turned your eyes and affections away from Him – where was the trust breakdown that allowed you to doubt that God had provided for that need? Worship Jesus for His victory over that idol. Consider how He laid aside His needs to meet ours. Ask the Spirit to remind you how whatever need you wanted to satisfy is actually satisfied in Him. Ask Him to give you discernment when that idol shows up in the future. Enlist the help and prayer cover of a faithful brother. To repent is to turn away from sin and toward Jesus. It is not a step on the path to God. It is the path.  

I have set the LORD always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken. – Psalm 16:8 (ESV)