FROM THE PASTOR’S HEART
OP / ED BY DR. ROBERT KENNEDY
There is a certain kind of philosophy being pushed in contemporary culture that is gaining currency, even among some preachers. The philosophy is that people should not repent or apologize for the wrongs that they have done. The argument is that one needs to “double down.”
One political leader tried it to win an election, and many others are now jumping on the bandwagon. They argue that apologizing or repenting would make them seem weak. While the wrongs they have done are being exposed, they seem unprepared to confess or speak in terms of public regret or repentance. Interestingly, many politicians and preachers (as I have noted) are standing on the side of the ones in the wrong to help them win.
Enough of figurative speech. To bring the point home, we all need to admit that even the most conscientious among us occasionally fail to confess a wrong or repent because it is not within our fallen nature to admit guilt or shame. On the contrary, it is always easier to pass the blame. Why? Because admitting that we are wrong or have a hidden sin is emotionally uncomfortable and painful to our sense of self.
As is said, “Human nature is so cunning and deceitful, so desperately wicked, that it seizes upon religious tradition and custom to justify itself in the things that it desires in the inward parts. For there is room in the careful, sanctimonious observance of the outward trappings of godliness to offer impressive reverence and idolatrous veneration that strangely comforts the uneasy conscience.” (https://library.timelesstruths.org/texts/Foundation_Truth_32/The_Idols_Under_the_Modest_Skirts/)
Do you know or remember Rachael, the second wife of Jacob, how, on their way to Canaan from Padan Aram, she stole her father’s idols? Then, when her father Laban chased down Jacob and his family and accosted them for stealing the idols, Rachael sat on them and told her father that she could not get up because she was having her period. (Genesis 31)
Rachael was sitting on the idols, but she lied to her father. Someone calls it a “respectful lie.” Only she (and God) knew that they were there. Her father was searching for them, but did not find them. Her husband did not know where they were. And when Laban accused Jacob of stealing the idols, Jacob became very angry. Jacob had not stolen the idols, and he would not find out that Rachael had them until Laban departed for his home.
As Jacob was about to continue his journey, he knew he needed divine blessings for himself and his family, so he called the family to repentance. Here is the scriptural reflection:
“And Jacob said to his household and all who were with him, “Put away the foreign gods among you, purify yourselves, and change your garments. 3 Then let us arise and go up to Bethel; and I will make an altar there to God, who answered me in the day of my distress and has been with me in the way I have gone. 4 So they gave Jacob all the foreign gods which were in their hands, and the earrings which were in their ears; and Jacob hid them under the terebinth tree which was by Shechem. And they journeyed, and the terror of God was upon the cities around them, and they did not pursue the sons of Jacob. (Genesis 35:2-5 NKJV).
Has the point been made clear? We cannot receive the blessings of God, and we cannot drive away the curses in our lives without repentance. It has been rightly argued that repentance has always been the cure for the generational curse. When Israel turned from idols to serve the living God, the “curses” were broken, and God saved them (Judges 3:9, 15; 1 Samuel 2:10-11).
What is valid for national life is also true for our individual lives. That is why when Jesus sent out his disciples, they preached that people should repent. “And they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick, and healed them.” (Mark 6:12). When Peter preached at Pentecost, those who were convicted asked, “What shall we do to be saved? Peter offered the simple answer, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” (Acts 2:38)
There is no getting around repentance. Hiding our sins will only increase our guilt. Hiding our sins might hide our shame for a little, but as is said, “Look, your sins will find you out.” (Numbers 32:23). Failing to repent only continues the curses of sins, whether in the life of our national, or family systems or our individual lives.
As repentance demands, we need to turn away from the wrong and go in a radically new direction. You might not be able to go back and take inventory of every past mistake but be open to what the Lord is asking you to do, then repent. Never forget that unrepented sins are an open door that offers the legal rights for demons to stay in your life.
So repent! As the prophet, Hosea, says, “Break up your fallow ground and give the Lord a chance to bring righteousness into your life.” (Hosea 10:12, my paraphrasing)
