Revelation 2:5 Therefore, keep in mind how far you have fallen. Repent and perform the deeds you did at first. But if you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.

      Many approach repentance with dread and apprehension, and yet, the permission God has given us to repent is one of God’s most precious gifts we have through Christ. Heb. 6:3 And this we will do if God permits. It is hard for us to admit we need to repent because our egos are so inflated that we think it is an intrusion upon our good name when the Holy Spirit points out something we need to repent about. Our hearts cry out, “What! But I am he who worships thee. Surely, I am acceptable before You, God.” However, we are not worthy to stand in God’s presence without the cleansing blood of our Lord Jesus, which is the only thing that can make us His righteousness. Where would anyone (on this side of the cross) be without the encouragement from God to repent of our sins? We, the New Testament saints, can walk in the gift of repentance and change our sinful thoughts and minds when the conviction of God is made within our hearts. We can repent and be at peace with God in real time.

      In all the letters the Apostle John wrote to the seven churches in Asia, there is a constant reminder that we are to hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches. Rev. 1:19 Write down what you have seen—both the things that are now happening and the things that will happen. The reminder to repent is prevalent in what Jesus is saying to His church, and as members of His Ecclesia, we are to walk in the attitude of having a repentant heart while realizing that the repentance we are given is a gift of God. All justification, sanctification, and repentance are through Christ alone and not of ourselves. God the Son has made it possible for all of us to have a position in Christ where we can be seated in heavenly places so that we may be separate and holy for God the Father’s use. Eph. 2:6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages He might display the surpassing riches of His grace, demonstrated by His kindness to us in Christ Jesus.

      John the Baptizer had a consistent message: Repent and be baptized. This type of repentance took a monumental effort on behalf of the people because they had to change their ways in their own strength by habitually following the law of Moses. They did not have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit to lead them. We can see that people had a desire and wanted to do what was right because large crowds were waiting to be baptized. John 3:7 Then he said to the multitudes that came out to be baptized by him, “Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? The people knew they had something missing in their relationship with God, but could only walk as best as they could within themselves and what the law instructed them to do. Everything was a religious effort to do what God was asking of them.

       A new gift or a new way of repentance was needed, and this mystery was hidden in Christ. Solomon could see the need for a new birth and a way to have mastery over sin, but could not figure out how it would or could happen. Therefore, the best Solomon could come up with within the wisdom he had was to follow God and do one’s best to obey God’s expectations. Eccl. 12:13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. If walking in perfect righteousness was a possibility before the sacrifice on the cross, there would have been no need for a better covenant with God. Heb. 10:6 In burnt offerings and sin offerings You took no delight.

      The reality is, we needed a perfect sacrifice to receive a perfect salvation, unto being the righteousness of God through the sacrifice God the Father deemed perfect. Within this new birth was the gift of all gifts. Not only were our sins washed away and our hearts were cleansed of iniquity, but we could also repent when we sinned or failed at following God’s instructions. There is nothing like this in any relationship within the universe except with God Almighty. The letters John sent to the churches had a repetitive message to repent and that the Lord would be pleased if repentance was taken seriously. Rev. 2:5 Therefore, keep in mind how far you have fallen. Repent and perform the deeds you did at first. But if you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.

      The consequence of not repenting is simple. Those who do not repent will walk in a peaceless obscurity where the light of God’s Word will become dim to the understanding of a sinful mind. The amazing gift of repentance can change how the entrance of God’s light can break through a deceptive heart and bring the miracle needed in one’s life. There is so much to be thankful for within our faith in Jesus Christ. For me, the gift of repentance is a pearl of great price that no earthly value can be put upon its richness. All of the devastation on earth and the history of earth is because of sin and iniquity. How incredible it is that we can come to God and repent of our sins and live in the peace that the Prince of Peace says we can have. John 14:27a Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you. When I respond to the gift of repentance, God’s peace becomes my peace. Thank you, Lord.