God’s Grace
Repent in dust and ashes…Job 42:6
Thank God we do not live in the days of Job. When repentance was shown by wearing sackcloth and covering oneself in dust and ashes. However, we do live in a time when sin brings us to our knees. When our sinfulness becomes overwhelming, we may, like Job say, “Therefore I abhor myself” Job 42:6.
When the Holy Spirit of God convicts a person of their sin, they often come to that conclusion, “I hate myself.” That is where your love for them comes in. There is no need for a person to endure too long the suffering of conviction. The same Spirit who brings condemnation brings comfort. Often through you.
When the prophets of God preached repentance, they always included a remedy. Repent, turn away from your idols, and turn your faces away from all your abominations, Ezekiel 14:6. Yet when they come to themselves in the land where they were carried captive, and repent, and make supplication to You in the land of their captivity, saying, ‘We have sinned, we have done wrong, and have committed wickedness; and when the return to You will all their heart and with all their soul…2 Chronicles 6:36-37 This is where you come in. To support their “turn” and their “supplications.”
God does not change. John, the prophet chosen to announce the Christ, also called for repentance, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Jesus said the same thing; the same exact words. The Spirit says the same thing: turn from your sins for the kingdom of God is at hand. We repeat this good news when we share the gospel of Jesus. Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead. Acts 17:30-31 The gospel has not changed. Nor has the gospel lost its power to bring people to salvation.
When the people of Jerusalem realized they were the cause of the crucifixion of Jesus they cried out, “What shall we do?” Peter said, Repent… The message has not changed. When people today realized Jesus died for them, they also will cry out, ‘what do I do now?’ You have the answer: Repent. No, you do not need to cover them with dust. Instead, lead them to water—the water of life; living water: Jesus. For by grace they have been saved through faith, and that not of themselves—it is the gift of God, (Ephesians 2:8 paraphrased) And you were allowed by grace to deliver that gift!
