Everyday Stars: Repenters
A man had two sons, and he came to the first and said, 'Son, go, work today in my vineyard.' He answered and said, 'I will not,' but afterward he regretted it and went. Then he came to the second and said likewise. And he answered and said, 'I go, sir,' but he did not go. Which of the two did the will of his father?’ They said to Him, 'The first.'
Jesus said to them, 'Assuredly, I say to you that tax collectors and harlots enter the kingdom of God before you.'
Matthew 21:28-31 (NKJV)
Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, 'God, I thank You that I am not like other men-extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.' And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me a sinner!' I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other.'
Luke 18:10-14 (NKJV)
Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!
Matthew 3:2 (NKJV)
God’s glorious cast of everyday stars… includes REPENTERS. 'Repentance' is 'a change of mind and purpose and life' (Easton's Bible Dictionary).
Repent from what?
Disrespecting a parent or a boss,
Choosing a job with the top goal of wealth,
Harming people in the wake of our work,
Getting wild and living like prodigals,
Believing we’re more righteous than others,
Or anything we realize is wrong.
Then what? We own up. We ask forgiveness and do the right thing. 'If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness' (1 John 1:9).
How does Jesus feel about repenters? 'There will be more joy in Heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance' (Luke 15:7).
From David's sins surrounding Bathsheba… to Peter's three denials of Jesus, God’s lineup includes prime-time repenters.
David begged God in Psalm 51: 'Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence, and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me' (v. 10-11). Peter 'Went outside and wept bitterly' (Matthew 26:75).
David became Israel's greatest king, and Peter became Christ’s #1 man.
What makes repenters so special to God? I believe it's no-holds-barred HONESTY. Consider this: 'All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God' (Romans 3:23).
So when Christians act 'Holier than thou' (Isaiah 65:5), they show the very same hypocrisy that Jesus denounced, again and again.
And remember this: ‘There will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent’ (Luke 15:7). WHY?
Anyone who thinks he’s righteous… ISN’T.
Therefore, REPENTANCE… is an attribute of everyday stars.
Everyday Stars: Repenters (Part 4)
NOTE: This is a 2023 update of a 2013 Carey Lewis Devotion. You may see notes to 'Actors, Models & Talent for Christ.' If you think you're not in show business, think again. Shakespeare said, 'All the world's a stage and all its men and women merely players. Mostly true. But you're not merely players. You are messengers and ambassadors for the King of kings.