Encouraging Repentance

A man tells of losing a small challenge with one member of a class of young students. His loss meant he owed that youngster a can of pop. He had an idea and went to the store and bought a case of cold pop and treated the whole class. They were excited and thankful. He later said that it seldom takes very much to make someone’s day.

Weeks ago, I was in a store with electronic checkout machines that talked. One live human stood behind a till off to the side. I opted to her and said, “I’d rather talk to you than one of those machines.” She nearly cried and said, “That’s the nicest thing anyone has said to me all week.” 

I agree… it doesn’t take much. A smile. A kind word. Even a short note or a text with a photo, or some fresh lettuce from the garden, or a loaf of homemade bread, or even a can of soda. Yet I hear the sermons and read the books that tell me to say profound words or do weighty things to have an impact on the lives of others. However, a thoughtful word can warm someone’s heart.

My hubby was in a large airport last week in the USA and thanked one of the government employees for serving even though he was not getting paid that week. The man was profoundly thankful. Hubby often thanks clerks or waiters in the same way. Another man tells us that when he prays before meals in a restaurant, he asks the servers if there are things he can pray for on their behalf. These examples affect me. I watch those who struggle in this messed up and greed-filled world with exorbitant prices, much unkindness, and very little encouragement. Their faces give away their need for kindness. And God says to me: “Clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience” (Colossians 3:12, 14). 

Some assume that being nice to others will have little affect on unconverted sinners, or it might even make them think their lifestyle is acceptable, but at least one person says, “Kindness has converted more sinners than zeal, eloquence, or learning.” Kindness is not manipulation though. It is more like opening doors for God to enter. These verses are what He does with our obedience to be kind. . . . 

Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? (Romans 2:4)
Correct his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth. (2 Timothy 2:25)

Repentance is not about being sorry I was caught, but about turning from sin to God. He forgives that sin and is able to change lives; so much so that what I once thought was my right to do, or was okay, or didn’t hurt anyone, is gone because of God's kindness. I am also glad when others repent . . . .  

As it is, I rejoice, not because you were grieved, but because you were grieved into repenting. For you felt a godly grief, so that you suffered no loss through us. For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death. (2 Corinthians 7:9–10)

And lest I think my indignation at their sin, or my harsh rebukes will have a positive effect, in the end time when God visits the world with plagues and terrible things, these will not change anyone. He says:

The rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands nor give up worshiping demons and idols of gold and silver and bronze and stone and wood, which cannot see or hear or walk, nor did they repent of their murders or their sorceries or their sexual immorality or their thefts. (Revelation 9:20–21)

They were scorched by the fierce heat, and they cursed the name of God who had power over these plagues. They did not repent and give him glory. The fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and its kingdom was plunged into darkness. People gnawed their tongues in anguish and cursed the God of heaven for their pain and sores. They did not repent of their deeds. (Revelation 16:9–11)

PRAY: Sometimes the sinfulness in the world makes me want to string perps up by the thumbs or worse, but Your kindness is intended to lead people to repentance — and only when that no longer works will they suffer the results of their choices. Instead of expressing how I feel about sin, grant me the grace to be kind, Your kind of being kind, so that they might know that You want the very best for them. Help me also remember that Your ways are far above my ways. Instead of human responses to needy people, may Your will be done in me.