Repentance the Path to Beauty

Repentance the Path to Beauty

“Therefore, bring forth fruits
worthy of repentance.”
Matthew 3:8

The Greek word meaning here of worthy, or in other translations meet, corresponding or in keeping, would best be translated “of equal weight”. Too often a quick confession, a repeated phrase, or a simply echoed prayer is considered sufficient for salvation. The wonder of the new birth and the miracle of salvation has been reduced to something base and mundane.

The imparting of the Divine nature into a human life is beyond comprehension; for such a glorious transaction to take place without the corresponding change in a life is utterly impossible. There are unmistakable “fruits” which accompany such a deep and holy transaction.

“Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so, we also should walk in newness of life”
Romans 6:4

“Newness of life” is the atmosphere of a heart that abides in Christ. Repentance is a recurring work of the Holy Spirit within those who welcome His correction. Change is the evidence of the ever-increasing life of Jesus within those who follow Him.

“But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord”
2 Corinthians 3:18

“But we all”; all who are beholding His glory are changed on a continual basis from one glory unto another. There is an ever-unfolding aspect of change produced by the Light and the Life of Him within as we behold His Glory.

“But the path of the just is as the shining light,
that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.”
Proverbs 4:13

Those who walk the path of the justified find His ways clearer and brighter each day. May our hearts catch the language of the Spirit of God: from “glory to glory” and “more and more” unto the perfect day. This is the language of the redeemed, the song of the faithful pilgrims whose eyes are fixed upon Him.

Let there be within us a response to the “upward” call of God. May we be captivated by the wonder of a Love so pure, so steadfast, and so filled with that invigorating power to prepare us for Himself eternally!

“My beloved spake, and said unto me,
Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away”
Song of Songs 2:10

Related Post: Psalm 23 – Correction and Growth (part 14)

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“Repentance is siding with God against self”
Todd Nibert

“In the history of the Christian world we observe two theological tendencies: one, lasting for centuries, would accommodate the revelations considering the Triune God to our manner of thinking; the other summons us to repentance, to a radical transformation of our whole being through life lived according to the Gospel. The former is laudable, even historically essential, but if separated from life it is doomed to failure. ‘Jesus said…if a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him’ (John 14.23). This is our Christian way to perfect gnosis. The abiding in us of the Father and the Son, and inseparable from Them the Holy Spirit, will give us true knowledge of God.”
― Sophrony Sakharov, (His Life is Mine)

Brian Troxel