Therefore, repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord;

Acts 3:19 NASB

I think most people see repentance as something to be avoided. We see it like cleaning toilets or getting a root canal. We really would rather not! We equate repentance with being a failure and admitting defeat. Anyone want to sign up for that?

I get it. I too fall into this thinking and go for long stretches without touching the spiritual discipline of repentance. I might even see it as a badge of honor. I can take pride in streaks of obedience and don’t want anyone to see a weakness in my armor.

But, what if our reluctance to practice repentance reveals a fundamental misunderstanding of the gospel? What if we’re missing out on an amazing gift that God wants us to experience every day?

Jesus came to save us from our sins. We know this as Christians. We celebrate the good news of God’s love displayed in Jesus’ sacrificial death for our atonement. The cross is the centerpiece of our faith. Yet, for as much as we believe this, we actually often relapse into works righteousness when we avoid the spiritual habit of repentance. By avoiding repenting of our sins, we are choosing to stand on our resumé of good deeds. We are finding our identity in our performance, instead of fully relying on the completed work of Christ.

In Acts 3 we find Peter preaching to the crowds. He shares the gospel with them and then calls them to repent of their sins. Then, I love what the Scripture says next: that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord. I wonder how much joy and refreshing I’ve missed out on due to my avoidance of repentance. There is no greater joy than being in intimate fellowship with God, our loving Creator. Yet, our fellowship is hindered when we deny our daily need for His grace.

The good news is that an oasis is one prayer away. 1 John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” We can return to the warmth of God’s presence by simply slowing down to acknowledge Him and our need for His constant mercy. This is why Jesus taught us to pray these words: “Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors”. He wanted us to remain in God’s love and presence where we are truly happy and free. He knows that we will mess up on the regular. Repentance is actually a gift that helps us return to the party.

Let’s not miss the times of refreshing that the Lord wants us to experience. Let’s show the world the way of redemption isn’t through hiding our failures, but through believing God’s grace eclipses our failures. Let’s taste the freedom and peace that comes through daily confession of sins. Repentance is actually a great joy to the person who truly understands the gospel.

Next step: Take a moment to pray and confess your sins. Confess the one’s you know. Confess the little things and the big things. Then, thank God for His faithfulness and His promise to cleanse you and forgive you in Christ.