12/18/2019
How do we repent? In what way do we demonstrate our contrition? In mourning we weep, and some of us wear black, or cover ourselves in ashes. In great emotion over matters of faith some of us tear our clothing and wail publicly, but how should we show our true penitence so that it is not seen as hypocritical, but as heartfelt?
“and rend your hearts and not your garments." Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster.”
Joel 2:13 ESV
When we have wronged someone, and are asking for their forgiveness we might weep, bring them gifts, or make some other sign that we are true in our remorse. We need the person to believe that we are actually sorry! However sometimes outward actions can be a sham, and not sincere... just symbols... killing the fatted calf (or dining together) might be a true act, or perhaps it is just something that a person is expected by society to do. So, how do we tell what’s in a person’s heart?
When we have sinned, how do we demonstrate to God that we are honestly remorseful, and truly sorrowful? Is it important to rend our clothing, beat ourselves, or make some other outward gesture for the world to see, or is something more intensely personal required of us? Men see what we do, but God sees much deeper, and knows who we are in our heart... sees our true regret clearly.
“But the Lord said to Samuel, "Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart."”
1 Samuel 16:7 ESV
When a man has been in an argument with his wife he might bring her flowers, or jewelry, and apologize to her on bended knee, but even though these are nice gestures, she doesn’t believe his sincerity until he embraces her, and she is able to feel it in his kiss. There is both an outward sign , and an inward heartfelt component to remorse. Gifts can be seen, and words heard, but physical gestures are not completely believable until they can be felt. You must be able to feel in your heart what is behind the outward actions.
So how is it that we can make God understand our true feeling of contrition; is tearing our clothes enough? No, it must emanate from our heart... it must be so sincere that we might not even be capable of expressing it to Him in words as we pray, and in the midst of our tears we must lean on the Holy Spirit to assist us.
“Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.”
Romans 8:26 ESV
Have you ever prayed in moans, and strange sounds of sorrow? Has your remorse, and contrition, ever been so complete that nothing that your mind can concoct and turn into words is enough? Have words become like the outward tearing of your clothes, when your spirit is demanding that you inwardly rend your heart? This is the embrace, and the kiss, that God feels as the evidence of your heart... it is more that the simple word “Sorry!” Or the sound of buttons popping, and material ripping... it is our heart breaking, and our spirit calling out to Him.
So how do you approach God when you are asking for forgiveness? Do you pray a simple prayer? Maybe you even pray before the congregation, shed a few tears, or tear your clothes for all to see. Well, these are good outward signs, but God is looking to your heart, to what is happening inwardly there.
What is radiating from deep within our spirit? When we offer contrition, and ask forgiveness, we should go into our prayer closet, and let the Holy Spirit help us to rend our heart, and direct our contrition. We should be willing to offer up the moans and strange utterances as our spirit unburdens itself of guilt and remorse. We should embrace God there, and kiss Him in heartfelt fashion. Are you ready for more than an outward expression of sorrow?
Prayer:
Father, we thank you for being a forgiving God, and looking into our hearts for the true penitence that resides there. We thank you for not only hearing our words, and tasting our tears, but feeling the inward moans and utterances of our spirits as they call out to you. We thank you Lord for embracing us, and kissing us with a Holy Kiss of grace, and mercy... relenting in your wrath, and forgiving us completely of our sin. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who sees into our hearts. Great are you who knows our innermost self, and forgives us as our contrition is evidenced there. All glory is yours Merciful Father for the grace you have provided us through your Son Jesus Christ. Hear the prayers of our hearts, the moans of our spirits, and the contrition offered by your Son Jesus as He prays for us! we worship you now in truth and Word and humble ourselves before you forevermore.
“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.”
Psalms 51:10 ESV
Rich Forbes