Called by Grace to Repentance

Called by Grace into Repentance¹:

2Pe 3:9 The Lord isn't slow about keeping his promises, as some people think he is. In fact, God is patient, because He wants everyone to turn from sin [repent] and no one to be lost.

Repent means “to change” [metanoia]²

To change the way we think;

To change the way we choose;

To change the way we respond to situations.

Turning from the bondage which has developed in our own soul.

- We are called to repentance, not the Latin concept of penance, outward acts that symbolize how sorry you are but a change of your mind, your will, and your emotions.

It signifies the turning from one thing, and unto another. In this case, it is the turning away from the bondage of sin unto the liberty of Christ’s kingdom. Thus John says, “for the Kingdom of God is at hand!³ In other words — you can turn from sin to God because His ruling authority has now over-ruled all other claims to your soul.

There is no title, nor deed, nor any papers of authorization clutched in greedy hands, that surpass the unyielding power of the Lord’s decree that you be free. [What bondage holds us back from our destiny as sons and our inheritance??]

And free you are, despite all lies to the contrary. Now, you may indeed not be walking in your freedom; but that does not mean it is not yours. It just means you need to repent – that is, you need to change. You can now 'change' because the power of God is present to help you. You are called to change!

So if we are 'called away' from our bondage to sin, then we are 'called near' to the Sin-Breaker. From this we are 'called out' to call others to freedom. Thus the Trinity of our Calling!

Paul wrote to the Freed Slaves of Corinth several times... here is how he opened one of his letters.

1Co 1:1 Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother, 2 Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours...

So having changed from our Sin mentality, to our son mentality we can effect change around us!

We are not only free from sin, but we are free from legalism; a system that says you must EARN your freedom, so that God would approve of you. To be legalistic is to put your own protocols on salvation, this is neither a good idea nor God's idea

Rom_2:4 [KJV] Or do you despise God's goodness and forbearance and long-suffering; not knowing that the goodness of God lead thee to repentance?

Now let us see how the Mirror translation comments on this:

We are called through our patience and perseverance, as James comments.

Jas 5:7 My friends, be patient until the Lord returns. Think of farmers who wait patiently for the spring and summer rains to make their valuable crops grow. 8 Be patient like those farmers and don't give up. The Lord will soon be here! Jas 5:9 Don't grumble about each other or you will be judged, and the judge is right outside the door. 10 My friends, follow the example of the prophets who spoke for the Lord. They were patient, even when they had to suffer.

The Mechanics of an Unrepented Life

I know that much of my suffering is due to my own 'warped head', that is my 'unrepented thinking'. As I move through life my mind focusses on that which I PERCEIVE to be causing me discomfort, distraction and disgust! This “warped head thinking” causes my whole system to overheat, and I lurch along. Ryle puts it this way, when his mechanic told him his new vehicle was behaving badly:

When we are warped in our thinking – nothing good can happen. And to make matter worse, we get all hot and bothered when something good doesn’t happen. And when things go bad or wrong – we blow our lids. That’s the trouble with a warped head.

The Lord wants to set our minds right. And as He does so, the seal will hold and there will be no blown gaskets, nor any loss of power.

Have you “blown your lid” lately? Finding yourself over-heating and losing your cool? Take heart — the Lord is expert at fixing a warped head! Next time you find yourself over-heating and getting ready to pop – just pull over to the side and ask the Lord to straighten out your thinking; to check the seals, and make sure your “oil level” is fine. Cool down, and only then proceed along the high way.

Now I am a good driver but the mechanics of my vehicle is limited. I am glad that Jesus, among other things, is The Perfect Mechanic for my vehicle which gets me through life.

Just in case you wanted to know more about warped heads in an actual engine, here is a diagram. Now if you have had your life-vehicle have mechanical difficulties, let me share some wisdom.

1. Over-heating caused by pushing your engine too hard.
2. Over-heating caused by being stuck in traffic.
3. Over-heating caused by internal fluids being exposed to other hot surfaces.

1Much of this is taken from Ryle's Devotions.

2 μετανοέω metanoeō From G3326 and G3539; to think differently or afterwards, that is, reconsider (morally to feel compunction): - repent. KJV occurrences: 34

3 This was the core of John's message. Mat 3:1 In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, 2 And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.