Third Sunday A of Advent

Posted on 9. December 2022 by Peter Prochac

I am a Catholic Christian not only because I am baptized, but because I profess my faith and live according to it.

When we learn a foreign language, we should be able to introduce ourselves in that language. More and more it is required to have education, expertise, experience, and skill. We are witnessing that our time is marked by the devaluation of the human word, and deeds are more required. It used to be said that clothes make man. Doesn’t it make a person more that he keeps his word, his honesty, character, responsibility, and loyalty?
The season of Advent enters not only into our conscience so that we reevaluate who we are, and what kind of Christians we are. This is what our deeds speak about. The current problem of the relationship of St. John the Baptist to Christ.

Evangelist St. Matthew tells about the actions of St. John in the dungeon, and how he sends his disciples to Jesus to ask: “Are you the one who is to come, or should we wait for someone else” (Mt 11:3)?

The activity of St. John the Baptist did not last long. Herod threw him into prison at the instigation of his illegitimate wife Herodias. John lives in very dramatic events. He fulfilled his duties faithfully, and for the truth that he told in the face of the guilty, Herod and Herodias, he suffers. He witnesses that injustice and evil triumph over honesty and doing good. John is determined to be faithful to his mission until the end. The question with which he sends his disciples to Jesus can be understood in two ways. For example, he doubted the messianic mission of Jesus or wanted to draw Jesus’ attention to the state in which he found himself. It is possible that John was simply disturbed by Jesus’ actions. Some see John’s actions as a certain crisis in his profession.
Jesus does not answer John directly, but John deduces the correct answer from what he tells him. It is a clear view of the Messiah. More clearly than the prophets in the Old Testament foretold about the Messiah. The Acts speak of Jesus as the true Messiah: “The blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead rise, and the gospel is preached to the poor” (Mt 11:5). Jesus quotes the words of the prophet Isaiah, which apply to his activity. Until then, John did not reconcile this prophecy with the activity of the Lord Jesus. After the departure of John’s disciples, Jesus gives the most beautiful testimony about John. Jesus refutes John’s doubts when he says: “Among those born of women, no one has risen greater than John the Baptist” (Mt 11:11). Such an explanation is not yet complete. Even then, Jesus thinks of every person. He is after all God and knows about the struggles and struggles in the life of every person until the end of time, and so to each of us who will show the courage to believe in Christ and accept him as our God and Lord, Jesus says: “But he who is in heaven lesser kingdom is greater than he” (Mt 11:11). So each of us – who faithfully perseveres with Christ – will find a reward in the kingdom of God.

God cannot be as we imagine him, as we would like him to be. God has his plans. We will be rewarded according to how faithfully we fulfill his will. If we experience similar states as John the Baptist, let’s make sure that our will is in agreement with the will of God. To do everything that God expects of us. John fulfilled his mission. So we understand that God will allow John to die in prison. God does not perform miracles to save his faithful from death. After all, a long life on earth is not a goal for man. Those faithful to God await their homeland in heaven. They trust God more than themselves, they value death more than life on earth, and especially when they are convinced in their conscience that they have fulfilled their mission. God determines our mission. It is necessary to realize: who I am, where I am from, what is my mission, my goal on earth. John was a voice calling in the wilderness. So he was Herod, he was preparing people’s hearts to receive Jesus. His baptism of repentance was a real call to change and correct life. He knew who he was, and that is why he speaks the truth even when he knows that he will have to sacrifice his life for the truth. What should he value more? His life in comfort, but he will not fulfill his mission, or prison, death and for that a reward from Jesus himself. Jesus himself did not come to be served, but to serve. That is why our activity must not be based on the glory of this world, but on the reward he promised to those who persevere with him to the end. Jesus himself did not come to be served, but to serve. That is why our activity must not be based on the glory of this world, but on the reward he promised to those who persevere with him to the end. Jesus himself did not come to be served, but to serve. That is why our activity must not be based on the glory of this world, but on the reward he promised to those who persevere with him to the end.
Whoever correctly asks himself about his mission on earth, what he is entrusted with by God, and what he is supposed to be, will not be disappointed. The grain’s role in the world is to die. Either he turns into food and thus completes his mission, or he dies to the earth on his death becomes a new life in a new ear. The grain glorifies God the Creator with its death. A lily will not grow into a nettle, a spruce into a linden, a lily will still be a lily, and a spruce will remain a spruce. So let’s all remain what we are meant to be. In nature, every plant and animal fulfills its mission, although it does not realize what God wants from it. They have it in them from the Creator. Man was the only work of God endowed with reason, will, and body, and with his work, he is supposed to take care of the glorification of God on earth, to know God, love God, and serve God.
A Catholic Christian has accepted, either personally or through his parents and godparents, the obligation to confess his faith and live according to it. Whether he acts like that, whether it’s a really very person knows, and at the same time, he is the mastermind of his hapless here on earth, but certainly one day also after his death. A Catholic Christian is, after all, a child of God. Doesn’t he pray: Our Father…?
Advent is a time to realize: Where is my life leading without God? What am I without God? Jesus once spoke very harsh words about a fig tree that did not bear fruit in its season. Maybe we or someone on our behalf begged God in a similar situation a year ago to wait a little longer, not to punish us, and give, us more time to make amends. The time is here. God is the only Lord of time and eternity. He is the one who called us and will call us. John the Baptist fulfilled his mission. He deserved his reward.
Advent is not explicitly understood as a memento of death, but rather of joy, and that is why we remember the words of the philosopher and sage Seneca, who says: “He is mistaken who thinks that he is beginning to die when a cold sweat breaks out on his forehead when his eyes turn away into a pillar and the heart stops beating. We die every day, and our last hour does not bring death, it only completes it. As it would be ridiculous to say that the hourglass begins to empty only when there are only a few grains of sand left in it, so it is ridiculous to say that a person dies when he has a few moments left to live. As an hourglass begins to empty as soon as it is turned upside down, so a man begins to die as soon as he is born.”
One can therefore say: Lord, be my daily bread, the source of my strength, my source, and my joy (cf. Lanza del Vasto).

John the Baptist can rightly be considered a man of new thinking and approach to life. Jesus also confirmed this when he exalted Elizabeth’s son. We all need similar recognition. It is a challenge for us, in our everyday life. Today we do not know what awaits us in a moment. We should already follow the example of St. John the Baptist. Loyalty to God is manifested in different ways. It is possible to solve, for example, an insult in this way.

The famous clown Glock is said to have once received a letter full of insults. His friends advised him to sue the author of the letter. After all, no one is obliged to be insulted. Glock had a better method. He sent a letter to the sender with a note:
“Dear Mr. I received this letter yesterday. I am sending it back to you because some insolent scoundrel misused your name, and you, as a respectable person, are not capable of such rudeness.”
Sincerely…

How the addressee reacted to the returned letter is not so important to us. It is more necessary to see an example of our similar action. Today’s John – a Catholic Christian has his difficulties, but he is also responsible for solving his mission and position.
It is also necessary to have responsibility for your surroundings, as John the Baptist had.

The organ consists of hundreds of pipes, but alas, when only one “hangs” when it cannot be closed. It sounds all the time and spoils everyone else’s game. That’s how it is between people in the family, in the parish, and the world.
For example, who does not want to submit to others, who always asserts his truth, argues, and spoils everyone’s coexistence. For life to flow like harmonious music, all must submit to one law of love. And it says that we should help each other carry burdens. John prepared the way for the Lord. You have fulfilled your mission. Jesus is doing the will of his Father. Therefore, Jesus refers: “The blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the gospel is preached to the poor” (Mt 11:5). John understood, which is why Matthew highlights the words of the Lord Jesus: “And blessed is he who does not take offense at me” (Mt 11:5).

What kind of Christian am I? What I think or want to say is not enough. Beware of conscience! The Advent preacher fulfilled what Jesus expected from him, and that is why John received words of appreciation. And that is a reminder for us too.

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To be a child of God. Adults can learn from children’s behavior.

Posted on 8. December 2022 by Peter Prochac

Even today, let’s start with the proverb: “There has not yet been born one who would suit everyone”. of his fellows: We whistled to you, and you did not dance; we lamented, and you did not weep” (Mt 11:16-17).

Another proverb instructs us as follows: “Whoever wants to fight, always finds a stick”. So it is in this case too, whoever wants to oppose the truth, always finds an excuse to avoid the truth. At that time, no one knew how to speak to the Jews to their heart’s content. , because they did not want to submit to the truth. Christ’s silence and mildness did not suit them. John’s severity did not suit them either.

The deeds of John the Baptist are pleasing to God. John, with his strictness, represented the relentlessness and harshness of the Old Testament, while the Lord Jesus, with his mildness and kindness, represents the good of the New Testament. Both ways were wise and fair. After the feast of the Sending of the Holy Spirit, we can be guided by the Holy Spirit, who helps us with his gifts, if only we ask for them. The seven gifts also include the gift of wisdom and the gift of understanding. We should ask for these gifts so that we do not become like the Jews whom Jesus rebukes.

Under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we are to live in the constant presence of God and fulfill his will, which is hidden in his commands and words. Our lives will grow and be enriched daily for the future reward that we all long for and that God will personally give us on the day of our meeting. We are not all the same. We have to know our pros and cons. To consider the circumstances in which we live so that we can fulfill the will of God. Not everyone who has healthy ears can listen correctly and well. For this, he needs goodwill, but also a motive to enrich him. People often approach life like children approach entertainment. And we know that life is often a harsh reality. A child does not pay bills for fun. Our life will one day be subject to strict control, where every mindset will be revealed, and where every manifestation of our common will and reason will be evaluated. We know that when a child is immersed in a game, he devotes himself to it with such enthusiasm,

What does this mean for us? If we approach our duties as believing Christians with a sincere heart, we will share them with someone or something, so even the difficulties will become easier and our meeting with God in our duties, we will not take as a burden, a burden, but it will turn into something, which will bring satisfaction both mentally and physically.

It’s a pity that we lack the purity of a child’s thinking, which does not know falsehood, pretense, hypocrisy, and sin. What impoverishes our life? 

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Will we not bored in heaven?

Posted on 7. December 2022 by Peter Prochac

Please, let’s try to get past the concern of boredom in heaven to earth. Sometimes we get the idea that if all the people on earth were good and if none of us sinned, it would be monotonous, uninteresting, and boring. For evil, sin, and various imperfections – this view says, to bring variety to life, life is interesting and richer because of it. I am afraid that if someone says this, then either he does not know, or he judges by himself: he is inwardly empty and cannot imagine life without constantly seeking ways to break out of this emptiness.
For what is boredom? I can think of two answers to this question that are worthy of consideration. First, boredom is a sign of inner emptiness, a fragmented personality, of an uncrystallized identity. This is how he defines boredom and the constant attempts to escape it, among others, Arthur Schopenhauer. He writes about “inner emptiness whose traces are etched on countless faces and evidenced by the attention focused on all the most trivial events of the external world.

This emptiness, which is the main source of boredom, always requires external stimuli, just to set the mind and the emotions in motion. It is indiscriminate as to the means, as is evidenced by the miserable fun to which people resort, the nature of their mutual relations and manner of conversation, and also the many people who are constantly standing in open doors or looking out of windows. It is this inner emptiness that is the main reason for the pursuit of the company, for entertainment, for pleasure.”

The flight from boredom must of course be unsuccessful, for..it does not fill one up internally, but only drowns out the emptiness. It acts like a narcotic that intoxicates but does not change anything in a positive sense; on the contrary, it reinforces the state of emptiness and makes one less and less capable of change for the better. Meanwhile, boredom – and who among us is not subject to it? And we must not waste it. For it is truly God’s gift that emptiness disturbs man, disgusts him, and makes his action. Boredom is a disease of the soul. Just as the disease of the body alarms the organism, and announces a state of danger, so is boredom one of the alarm bells ringing that it is threatening the soul. It is not right to kill boredom because in doing so I remove the alarm bell and allow the inner destruction to continue already unhindered. The voice of the bell does not invite me to distract myself more and more, on the contrary, it calls me to focus, to seek my identity, and to become more and more myself.

The voice of this bell should be respected, and we should usually try to turn it off. Also, the second answer to the question of what is boredom is probably directed to the heart of the matter. Namely, boredom is evidence of a lack of love. A. Karpinski wrote about it: “Love is the opposite of boredom; boredom is the feeling that arises when we want to escape from some environment, but we can’t. Boredom tires because we are about to escape but are unable to realize it. One never gets bored with the person one loves, because love attracts, while boredom repels. The feeling of boredom is a sensitive indicator of our emotional relationship with our surroundings.” In the end, both concepts lead to essentially the same conclusion.

After all, the more we are ourselves, the more and more truly we love others; the more we distract ourselves and waste time with trivialities, the less we want to or can love. For to concentrate is not only to close our eyes sometimes (even though that is also very necessary) but above all, it means to open our eyes to our neighbor. On the other hand, it is possible to open your eyes and not see, look and not notice: the more truly I will see and love others, the richer I will be inward. My answer to your query is therefore directed as follows: We must look truthfully at the problem of boredom on earth, and then we shall see the whole absurdity of the fear that perhaps in heaven there will be boredom in heaven. After all, take a good look at all three of these
symbols of eternal life that you mentioned in your letter.

Constantly dwelling with the Lamb – heaven will therefore be an everlasting love. Where there is love, there is not and cannot be boredom. Love drives away boredom as light drives away the darkness. And yet it is love for someone infinite, someone infinitely rich; yet this love need not fear a lack of reciprocity, because he loved us first and his love is enduring. In eternal life, we shall be filled to the full with love, and therefore the happiness of eternal life is beyond the present possibilities of our imagination. In the beginning, however, we may experience this state already on this earth. And it is also interesting that people who are already here on earth are experiencing how much happier life with God and according to God, are not afraid of being bored in heaven.

You go on to mention the symbol of the banquet – and that is a symbol of fulfillment, a picture of a state in which one lacks nothing. This is not a matter of consumerism, of course. Eternal life, that is the state of full humanity, man will finally and forever be SOMEONE; for that is what love makes of us, union with God, the giver of love, union in God with all who are worthy of love, and with all that is worthy of love. Or the symbol of eternal reign or eternal freedom. Eternal life means freedom from all those external and inner bonds that now cripple our various good powers. Here on earth, we cannot even imagine what it means to be completely free from sin, what glorious landscapes of the spirit that opens up before man. Only those who can imagine those who have experienced the satisfaction it gives a man even that indefinite victory over sin which is possible on this earth. But the most important conclusion of these reflections should be this: Let us strive to respond to boredom in the right way – not to drown it out, but to triumph over it.

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“Not everyone who tells me….”

Posted on 7. December 2022 by Peter Prochac

In the world of rush, tension, and material burden, human qualities – such as humility and silence, lose their value and are relegated to the past, they have their place and justification. We see it in the example of John the Baptist. Jesus also said about him: “Among the children of women there has not been born a greater…” and continues “…Even the last in the Kingdom of Heaven is greater than he” (Mt 11:12). There are personalities among us who do not gain admiration, respect and seriousness with broad elbows, for example, verbosity, violence and the like, but with their heart, which manifests itself in qualities rooted in silence and humility.

We realize that a person who gets into the power of pride usually becomes a source of conflict. He is not critical of himself. He does not accept words of truth. He likes flatterers and their ilk. He sees enemies in those who want to help him. It’s a pity that today such people don’t have clowns like the rulers of the past. The jester could tell the truth to the master, even if he often earned a fight for it.

In his love, Jesus thinks of us when he places the virtues of humility and silence on our hearts. Humility is a difficult virtue; therefore, its acquisition requires a lot of strength on our part. And yet, Jesus turns to everyone with a challenge: “For now the Kingdom of Heaven suffers violence and violent people seize it” (Mt 11:14) because only with Jesus every yoke and burden becomes pleasant and light.

The Lord did not choose the wise men of this world as his instrument for leading his people and interpreting his revelation. God still chose the weak and small of this world for his service. It was like that from the beginning. He chose an almost hundred-year-old man and a barren woman, for example, Zacharias and Elizabeth, who was over eighty years old, to become the parents of John the Baptist. David to defeat the giant Goliath. Why did you choose these people? To show the power of God acting on them, through human trifles. There is no trace of contempt in Jesus’ words. They are only a reminder of God’s generous gift that we cannot seize the secret of life by our power of knowledge alone. We will understand God’s secret only if we open ourselves to him in humility. Humble simplicity is the best prerequisite for pardon. Christ’s words “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth,

We will end with St. Augustine, who says: “We know God through his love.” And today Jesus presented himself to us again as “quiet and humble”.

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Jesus calls us to follow him in silence and humility.

Posted on 6. December 2022 by Peter Prochac

A few sayings at the beginning: “Not all that glitters is gold.” “Until you opened your mouth, I thought you were a philosopher” and others… Even in Advent, the following applies: “The yoke is made for two, you on one side and Jesus on the second. A burden carried in pairs is much lighter…” Jesus specifically says: “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and lowly in heart; and you will find rest for your soul. My yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:29-30).

Even in Advent, Jesus reminds us of the message he brought to the world, which we should adopt and follow in our Christian life. He calls those who embrace his little ones. Jesus is not against wisdom and reason, but he is against pride and vain knowledge, often just stupidity. Several times, Jesus encountered this kind of behavior of people who, with their indifference, stubbornness, and inattention, not only hurt him but also misled and scandalized others around him. They were the ones who saw and managed the nation. He did not blame them for their science and lead ring but for their pride, which prevented them from accepting the truth. It is a reminder that not the head but the heart is the true home of the gospel.

Pascal writes: “The heart has reasons that the mind does not know.” Jesus does not despise courage, learning, wisdom, and diligence, but what is connected with pride, such as arrogance, exalting oneself, underestimating others, and recognition. Pride closes a person’s way to the truth.A person can be as wise as Solomon. Still, if he does not have the simplicity and innocence of a child’s heart, he closes himself from the truth. Ultimately, he can be worse than a simple person without education who is honest, humble, and open to tfacfactualsus declares himself to be the truth (cf. Jn 14:6). It doesn’t take much. We understand the words “learn from me, for I am meek and humble in heart” (Mt 11:29) because they are a sign of God. As Jesus sees the Father, so when we see Jesus act, we should learn to work according to him; that means that when we toil and overburdened, and act in his spirit, quietly and humbly, the yoke will become accessible, and the burden light, because He will be with us.

Our earthly and eternal happiness is tied to whether we follow Jesus in his example. That is why he addresses us with the words: “Learn from me” (Mt 11:29). The heart of Jesus – quiet and humble, also shows us the model of what kind of heart we should have, what mindset we should adopt, what philosophy of life we ​​should implement.

Humility and quietness of heart should also become our virtues. Sv. Bernard sees humility as the foundation of every Christian’s integrity. He says: “Without humility in spiritual life, there is no other virtue.” It is not enough for us to know the theory but to implement the words of Jesus about humility and silence in practice. The word humility hinders many; they become deaf and blind as if it does not exist for them.

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Who is St. Nicholas?

Posted on 5. December 2022 by Peter Prochac

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St. Nicholas, bishop.

Posted on 5. December 2022 by Peter Prochac

This holiday is close to each of us. Children are happy. They get sweets, and pa; rents are so glad because their children are happy. The atmosphere of St. Nicholas is imbued with benevolence. It is almost impossible to resist this atmosphere because good is arduous. However, we must realize that the feast of  Saint Nicholas invites us to cultivate kindness today and throughout our lives. Christian charity is a gift of the Holy Spirit. It comes from God. It was fully manifested in Jesus Christ. If we live by faith, we are to realize God’s goodness in our lives. We are to be penetrated by God’s goodness, which the Holy Spirit develops, as the fruit of His presence in us. In benevolence, we glorify God above all. We realize his image and likeness in ourselves. Benevolence is also an apostolate that effectively touches the hearts of those far from God.

F.W. Faber wrote: “Goodness is catchy. He has the right to fertility. A good deed leads to more good deeds. A single act of kindness sends out roots in all directions, from which new shoots sprout and new trees grow. This fertility is not limited only to ourselves… This is how benevolence spreads in all directions. An act of benevolence may never die but spreads the invisible waves of its ebb and flow throughout the centuries.” On the way to mastering the benevolence of life, we must recognize the dangers that can stop us. It is primarily pride. A proud man is seldom kind. Pride spoils our spiritual endeavor and turns it into a mockery. A particular writer must have met many Christians infected with this spiritual disease when he wrote this sentence: “Religious people are the most unloving of all people.

Many religious people neglect the cultivation of benevolence because they do not care about its price. Many are charitable but not benevolent. They mortify themselves, but they do not know how to be hospitable. They pray a lot, but they are not very generous. They are also merciful but without benevolence. A reasonable person does not look in the other person’s face to see what is wrong but acts almost spontaneously. This is precisely the nature of this virtue: to do good as soon as the opportunity presents itself or the moment’s necessity requires it without expecting any recompense. We should practice kindness every day. Parents should lead their children to benevolence with all seriousness by their example because they give them a precious gift in life. Perhaps this story will encourage us to cultivate kindness: A 70-year-old ship captain died. His life was fused with the plague. A lamp was burning by his bed. He slept little at night during his illness. He fell asleep now. He had a beautiful dream, manifested externally by the brightness on his face.

In their dreams, he sees the sea in front of him. His ship rested in the harbor Awaiting the captain’s order to set sail and ply the ocean. When the captain got on the boat, it seemed to him that many acquaintances were traveling with him. They all surround him and say, “Today, we will go with you.” In the back are several girls whom he snatched from the claws of the soul sellers. The girls shouted, “We’re going with you today.” There were dozens of guys he secured jobs for. They also called, “Today , we will go with you.” Many people came who were helped in some way by him. Everyone shouts, “We’ll go with you today!” The ship moves, and the captain wakes up from his dream. Sitting next to him is a friend who has come to visit him. She tells him about her dream. Then he smiled briefly, bowed his head, and died. His ship landed on the other shore of life. He had with him intercessors whom he helped in life. (František Dancák gave us an example, 14ththe  amendment, Kružlov 1996, p. 90.) Well, let’s decide to cultivate kindness and ask St. Nicholas to accompany us on this journey with his intercession with the heavenly Father.

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“Man, your sins are forgiven.”

Posted on 4. December 2022 by Peter Prochac

Then the scribes and Pharisees began to think: “Who is he who blasphemes like this?!” Who can forgive sins besides God?” Since Jesus recognized their thoughts, he said to them: “What are you thinking in your hearts?” » Lk 5, 18-22.

The disabled person did not come to Christ alone. Others help him. Others believe instead of him. Nothing is said about his faith. “When he saw their faith…” His paralysis, the paralysis of his soul, was probably a lack of confidence. He was weary in faith and hope. And that’s why the first healing was about his soul: “Your sins are forgiven…” How good, Lord, that you gave me brothers, men who believe more than me, better and stronger than me. The Church takes me on her faith’s shoulders daily and brings me to you to heal me. Especially in moments when I wouldn’t be able to get to you. They carry and place me before you with their faith, prayers, and example. And you heal me because of “their faith” (“seeing their faith”). And maybe “because of my faith,” you will heal someone else. I, too, can bring to you on the shoulders of my prayer and faith those affected by the paralysis of hopeless unbelief.

In this context, three types of people can be considered: those who believe, those who are helpless losers, and those who begin to think, i.e.,—doubt in their hearts. You reward believers for their faith and heal others in body and soul. Come, Lord, to my desert! Come and touch this dry branch, so it turns green and blooms with the “flower of grace”! Take me, Lord, from my solitude: Grant that I may always find brothers who will lift on their shoulders the whole burden of my helplessness and place me before you; with their faith, they will beg you to give me the gift of your youth. Place me, Lord, with new vigor in my heart on the path that leads to my father’s house, and place me there with all who know how to walk and dance and joyfully celebrate the power of your love. Amen. Lord, with my faith and prayer, I will try to bring at least one lost brother before you.

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What does it mean to repent?

Posted on 3. December 2022 by Peter Prochac
There is a lot of confusion today about the doctrine of repentance. What does it mean to repent? How is it made? Is it required for salvation? Does it work? We need to understand repentance correctly. But for that to happen, we first need to understand the problem of sin.

The problem of sin

Generally speaking, the word sin is an archery term and means “to miss the target” – to “sin,” a target means to miss the center of the target. Of course, we understand this word as a religious term that means moral and ethical failure. If we can consider God’s justice as the center of the target, then whenever we miss the center of the target, we sin. However, today we often treat sin as if it were a harmless misstep in cosmic space. We tend to think of sin as not a very serious matter. We misunderstand how serious it is and underestimate its power. Furthermore, what we consider a small sin is a gross assault on God’s righteous character. And so God punishes even the most minor violation with a severe morals judgment for an – eternity in hell. The Bible teaches that “the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23) and further that “all have sinned” (Romans 3:23),

If the center of the target is God’s perfect holiness, then to “sin,” the target is to fall short of His requirement of righteousness. But it’s more than just missing the mark. The apostle John tells us that “sin is lawlessness” (1 John 3:4). Furthermore, “(sin) consists in doing, saying, thinking, or imagining anything that is not in perfect harmony with the mind of God and His law” (JC Ryle, Holiness: It’s Nature, Hindrances, Difficulties, and Roots; 1879, reprinted; Darlington: Evangelical Press, 1979).

Sin is more than a few mistakes, missteps, minor slips, or stumbles. It is an insult to the goodness and holiness of God. It’s an attack on the King’s throne. For God, sin is not something unimportant. It is a tremendous evil that must be condemned and eradicated.

But if all are guilty of sinning against God, and God only responds with condemnation, is there any hope?

In the Lord Jesus Christ.

Forgiveness of sin through Christ

The Lord Jesus Christ, who himself is God in human flesh (John 1:1-3.14), came to earth and lived in perfect obedience to every law of God. And so he perfectly fulfilled God’s requirements. The Lord Jesus lived a sinless life (2 Corinthians 5:21, Hebrews 4:15, 1 Peter 2:22), and therefore gave himself up to be killed as a propitiatory sacrifice – to propitiate His wrath for our sins (1 John 2:2). Since the Lord Jesus Christ was the only acceptable sacrifice for sin, he died a substitutionary death in place of sinners (1 Peter 2:24), paid the ransom to the Father, redeemed us from the curse of the law (Galatians 3:13). Based on the death of the Lord Jesus, God can forgive us our sins (Colossians 2:13), and we are justified – God forgives us and declares us righteous, even though we are sinful and unrighteous (Romans 3:28, Galatians 2:16).

What the Lord Jesus did on the cross makes it possible for our sins to be forgiven. And this is not only about forgiveness but also about reconciliation with God – restoring the relationship with Him. Paul writes: “But God demonstrates his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. How soon shall we be saved from wrath through him, now that we are justified by his blood?! For if we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son even when we were enemies, how much sooner shall we be saved by his life when we are reconciled?!” (Romans 5:8-10)

How do we receive His forgiveness? This is done through repentance.

The need for repentance

The word commonly used for repentance in the Old Testament is shub, which means “to change one’s course of action, turn away, or turn back” (Sinclair Ferguson, The Grace of Repentance. (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2010), p 15-16). The word was often used for a physical return, as in the return of God’s people from captivity. But it was also used to express a spiritual return to God.

In the New Testament, the word repentance is the Greek word metanoia, which means “a change of mind,” and it refits a change of mind. Sinclair Ferguson defines repentance as “a change of mind that leads to a change of lifestyle” (Ferguson, The Garage of Repentance, p. 18). Puritan Thomas Watson notes that “repentance is the grace of the Spirit of God, by which the sinner is inwardly humbled and visibly changed” (Thomas Watson, The Doctrine of Repentance (1668, reprinted; Edinburgh: Banner of Truth Trust, 1987), p. 18.). John MacArthur even offers a slightly different definition: “It is a reorientation of one’s will, a decision to forsake all unrighteousness and pursue righteousness instead deliberately” (John MacArthur, The Gospel According to Jesus (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1988), p. 178.).

Elements of repentance

While a definition of repentance is helpful and necessary, it will be of much greater value to us when we understand the various elements of repentance. It is important to note that merely feeling sorry for sinning is not repentance per se. Falling to the knees as a response to regret is often associated with the fact that one has been caught in sin and must now bear the consequences—not that one is sorry for the sin itself. And so, in order to properly understand repentance, we need to see that it has three main components.

The first is intellectual. At some point, a person needs to realize that he has sinned. He broke God’s commandments and committed rebellion. It is mental recognition; awareness. This is what it means to “enter into yourself” (Luke 15:17). After all, the New Testament Greek word metanoia primarily concerns the mind; it means awareness of sin, and a change in thinking occurs. When King David sinned with Bathsheba, he wrote, “Then I confessed my sin to you, and I did not hide my guilt” (Psalm 32:5). John MacArthur writes, “Repentance begins with the recognition of sin—the understanding that we are sinners, that our sin offends a Holy God, and more specifically, that we are personally responsible for our guilt.” (MacArthur, The Gospel According to Jesus, p. 179 ). One of the biggest problems we face is the inability and unwillingness to realize and admit our guilt when we sin. But we have to call it what it is and be ready to move forward based on what we have set out in our minds.

The other side of repentance is emotional. This is where feelings come into play. It is important to note that remorse over a given situation is not necessarily a sign of true repentance, but we should show sincere remorse for our sin and the fact that we have broken God’s law (2 Corinthians 7:9-11). As Christians, we should be deeply concerned that we have offended God with our transgression. Furthermore, because of sin, our relationship with Him is broken. David says to God: “Because You have no pleasure in slaughter… A contrite spirit is a sweet sacrifice to God. You, God, do not despise a broken and crushed heart.” (Psalm 51:18a.19). God wants us to be crushed and sad over our sin. That is a sign of true repentance. But there is more to it.

The third component is wanting. It is an act of the will. Indeed, the first step is the confession of sin, working in conjunction with the first part – the intellect – to realize and admit our sin. Louis Berkhof notes that there is “an element of volition which consists of a change of direction, an inward turning away from sin, and the ability to seek forgiveness and purification.” (Louis Berkhof, Systematic Theology, (Grand Rapids, Ml: Eerdmans, 1939) p. 486 ).

When King Solomon decided to dedicate a new temple, the Lord came to him and confirmed the promise of the covenant – if the people obeyed, Gowouldll bless them. The Lord told him: ” If my people, who are named after me, will humble themselves, pray, seek my face and turn from their evil ways, I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin and heal their land.” (2. the book of Chronicles 7:14). There must be complete turning away, or there is no visible evidence of repentance (Matthew 3:8)!

Repentance and faith

It must be realized that it is not repentance by which we are saved, but faith itself in the Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 3:28, Galatians 2:16, Ephesians 2:8-9). Richard Owen Roberts writes, “Repentance is not a ticket to the kingdom of God, but a condition of citizenship.” (Richard Owen Roberts, Repentance: The First Word of the Gospel. (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2002), p. 28). However, the connection between the two is unbreakable because “repentance and faith are married together and will never be divorced. True repentance never stands alone but is always connected with true faith. True faith does not stand alone, but is always connected with true repentance.” (Roberts, Repentance, p. 68.) By faith, turning away from sin becomes a step of obedience to God. Louis Berkhof writes: “True repentance never exists without not to be connected with faith, while on the other hand, wherever true faith is found, there is also true repentance. These things are just different aspects of the same turning away – turning away from sin towards the two cannot be separated. They are complementary parts of the same process” (Berkhof, Systematic Theology, p. 487).

By faith, we recognize and believe that God is who He says He I and that what He has revealed is good, correct, and accurate. By faith, we repent of breaking His perfect law. By faith, we believe that what He has promised to those who obey Him is greater than the short-term pleasure we get from sin because if we do not repent of sin in our lifetime, it will condemn us to hell. By faith, we regret; our repentance is the fruit of our faith. So it should be clear, as Roberts states, that “the presence of repentance, as well as faith, is necessary to salvation. You must turn from your sin to turn to the Lord Jesus Christ. You can only turn to Christ if you have turned from your sin. Repentance and faith go inseparably together. Any attempt to divide them is a sad mistake.” (Roberts, Repentance, p. 70.)

What is God’s promise to us regarding repentance? “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). This promise has two parts: He will forgive us our sins, remove our transgressions from us (Psalm 103:12, Colossians 2:14) and cleanse us, washing us from the inside out, renewing our soul (Psalm 51:7, Ephesians 5:26- 27, Titus 3:5). While sin must be confessed because it grossly offends God, He is also gracious, willing to forgive us and restore us.

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