“Repent And Turn To God!”

“Repent And Turn To God!”(Acts 3:12-20).
The evagelistic speeches in Acts of the Apostles have this recurring theme: “You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead…” (see 2:23-24; 4:10; 5:30-32); 10:39-41); 13:28-29). But like in our text, it says, “Now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did your leaders… “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, and that he may send the Christ, whom he has appointed for you…”
We may not have been there, but we have in our own ways also killed the author of life. Yet he is alive, and “by faith in the name of Jesus” cripples can walk. The name of Jesus and the faith that comes through him gives complete healing to those who come to him.
Dear friend, the central message of Jesus and his forerunner, John the Baptist and that of the apostles centred on “repentance and truning to God.” That central message is still relevant for our times. “Repent then and turn to God…”
We remind ourselves again that to repent is to “feel or express sincere regret or remorse about one’s wrongdoing or sin.” In Christian parlance “repentance is a change of mind and will arising from sorrow for sin and leading to transformation of life.”
However, repentance does not necessarily mean the same thing as turning to God. Our regular Act of Penitence during church services is an acknowledgement that repentance is often skindeep. Subsequent to repentance is turning to God. Repentance is to turn from sin, and faith is to turn to God.
In as much as a repentant sinner is forgiven, it does not necessarily mean the one has turned to God.
To turn to God should be a lifestyle; meaning that no matter the ups and downs of life, you allow yourself to be molded by God. The song writer captures this so well: “My times are in thy hand, my God I wish them there; my life, my friends, my soul I leave them to thy care. My times are in thy hand, Whatever they may be, pleasing or painful, dark or bright, as best may seem to thee…”
To turn to God therefore means that you leave it to God who “can use imperfections, smooth out rough bumpy edges, and also make good plans better.”
Prayer: Holy Spirit help us to turn to God so that times of refreshing may come to us from the Lord. Amen!
Have a blessed day! Peace be with you!
Rev Babila Fochang.