There is a word that many in the modern Church despise: Repent.

There is a word that many in the modern Church despise: Repent.

Yet this is a call word throughout the Old and New Testaments, ushered through Prophets and Apostles, and commanded as an action by Christ Himself.

"From that time on Jesus began to preach, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near." (Matthew 4:17)

We are to examine ourselves to see our sin, and turn from it, going back to God, forsaking the sin and cleaving unto God. For God is holy and just, and wants us to seek to walk in the ways of righteousness as much as we can, so that we may follow the example of Christ Jesus; who knew no sin yet bore ours upon the cross so we might be redeemed.

We all sin, there is not one righteous among us. "As it is written: "There is no one righteous, not even one;" (Romans 3:10) and "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). There are the sins that everyone likes to focus upon; sexual immorality being the current favorite in our culture, but in our society we have made many sins acceptable to even the religious crowd.

Greed is an acceptable sin now in many Churches; how many Christians flaunt wealth while others go hungry? How many "preachers" have diluted the faith by promising riches if you tithe enough and "speak a word?"

Gossip is acceptable by many Christians; how many prey on the weaknesses of friends and family as fodder for coffee groups and salacious phone calls?

Idolatry runs rampant in the Church now; how many pay more attention to politics than Christ? Then they've made an idol out of their political party and tossed Christ to the side! Sports is an idol to many Christian men, and shopping and clothes the same to many women. As Martin Luther wrote, "To whatever we look for any good thing and for refuge in every need, that is what is meant by 'god.' To have a god is nothing else than to trust and believe in him from the heart.... To whatever you give your heart and entrust your being, that, I say, is really your god."

And how many commit the sin of lust? Whether over a television show, a sports magazine swimsuit issue, a titillating book, or outright viewing of porn? What did Jesus say about lust? "But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart." (Matthew 5:2)

Hatred is a sin many indulge in; when we condemn others and foster hatred in our hearts, we do more damage than we realize. "Anyone who hates a brother or sister is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life residing in him." (1 John 3:15)

Sin is a corrosive agent that seeks to weaken or dissolve our relationship with God; should we give sin a free reign over our life we will turn from Christ and forsake Him. Guard against that, for Christ is our only salvation; cling to Him at all costs!

"Search me [thoroughly], O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there is any wicked or hurtful way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." (Psalm 139:23-24)

Pray to the Lord and ask Him to reveal your sins to you, that you may repent from them and turn back to Christ. No one is promised each day, so tarry not, lest you be caught unaware. Christ is ever merciful and gracious, and will forgive you of your sins if you go to Him in repentance.

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9)

God's grace be with you,
Fr. Charles Butler