"The Narrow Road": Blogs By Shane Kastler

REDUNDANT REPENTANCE: How Many Times Must We Turn From Sin?

I’ve made no secret of the fact that I believe repentance is the primary missing element in most of our modern day preaching.  Think about how many sermons you’ve heard that have called you to “accept Christ” or “ask Jesus into your heart” or “receive Christ as your Lord and Savior”.  All of those statements hint at what salvation involves, but ultimately they fall way short because they lack any element of repentance, or a genuine “turning away” from sin.  The two spiritual elements that take place when one is saved are repentance and faith.  Repentance involves turning FROM something (sin).  Faith involves turning towards SOMEONE (Jesus Christ).  Without this two-fold reality occurring, no one is ever saved.  But where is the call to repent?  Sadly it’s lacking in many pulpits.  The life offering plea to turn from sin and be saved has largely been replaced by a lukewarm, pathetic, cheesy, sales pitch to “repeat this prayer after me” and go to Heaven.  No one is offered a new life in Christ…because no one is ever told that they’re sinful enough to need it.  It’s just a silly game of say the magic words and gain eternal life.  How different this mentality is from the life and message of Jesus Christ.

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“From that time Jesus began to preach and say, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.’" (Matthew 4:17 NASB) 

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“And He was saying to them all, "If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me.” Luke 9:23

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"Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.”  Luke 14:27

Not only is repentance seldom mentioned in many modern day sermons, repentance (when it is mentioned) is often misunderstood.  Repentance is not a one time deal.  Repentance is a lifetime process.  To be sure, there is an initial repentance in which we turn in conviction from our sinful and depraved nature.  But, sadly, our individual sins continue to manifest themselves in this fallen world, with our fallen natures.  Once we’re born again, we no longer take pleasure in sin.  At least not the way we once did.  The Holy Spirit sees to it that sin pierces us, rather than pleases us.  The joy we find in sin is fleeting and ultimately leads to despair.  It’s like eating a big, juicy apple, only to find there’s a slimly diseased worm buried within.  The sin may have brought temporal pleasure, but the ultimate result is pain and shame.  Therefore, we must repent, and renew our commitment to Christ once again.

            Repentance becomes a way of life for the believer.  We sin.  We repent. We ask God’s forgiveness.  Sometimes we have to ask another person’s forgiveness.  Then we take up our cross and carry on again down the narrow road behind our Lord.  At times it can be frustrating because a true believer will long to be like Christ.  Yet they will continually find themselves falling short and sinning once again.  But, ultimately, we’re not in serious trouble because we still struggle with sin.  We ARE in serious trouble if we sin….and DON’T struggle with it.  It your sin makes you miserable…REJOICE!  That’s probably a good sign you’re a child of God.  If you can sin and NOT BE MISERABLE over it…watch out!  You may be deceiving yourself into thinking you’re saved, when in fact you’re not.  So when you sin….are you GENUINELY repentant?

            Repentance is one of those things that, in a sense, God must lead us to.  When we sin, we know its wrong.  And we know we should turn and commit ourselves once again to holiness.  And we know that we should seek God’s forgiveness.  But KNOWING something is sin…and being CONVICTED of it (which leads to repentance) are two different matters.  For example, there have been times, when I have sinned and known I needed to repent, yet, in a way I couldn’t.  Why?  Because the Spirit hadn’t really convicted me and broken me sufficiently yet.  Sometimes, in the heat of the moment, you’ve said or done something that you know is wrong and yet you don’t really feel bad about it.  The emotions are still too searing, and your heart is still too prideful. Make no mistake, we’re in the wrong, whether we “feel” it or not…and we must take it to the Lord in prayer, whether we feel like it or not.  But there have been times when I’ve prayed for God to bring the conviction and brokenness that I need to really repent of the sin.  I KNOW I’ve done wrong, but I’m not as broken over it as I should be.  Thankfully, the Lord is faithful, both in healing and in chastening.  The conviction ultimately comes, and true heart felt repentance follows.

            The Christian life is no picnic.  Don’t get me wrong; there is joy unspeakable when we follow Christ.  But living in a sinful world, with a sinful nature, after you’ve been changed into a Spirit-filled disciple of Christ, can create some painful situations.  But it’s a GOOD pain.  It’s the pain of conviction and it drives us to our knees and compels us to cry out with the tax collector:  “God, be merciful to me, the sinner!” (Luke 18:13 NASB)  And we know He will be merciful, because our heart is broken, and he promises to heal us.  He promises to forgive us.  And he promises to restore us. 

            Sin carries an awful price.  Our sin cost Jesus His life on the cross.  And there are times in which our sin will cost us dearly in temporal consequences.  But PRAISE GOD…our eternal consequences were poured out upon our blessed Savior.  That should cause us to shout with joy…and weep with brokenness.  “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son…” (John 3:16)

            So keep following Christ…and keep repenting.  Christianity is not a one time “decision” like you so often hear.  Christianity is a LIFETIME commitment.  When you sin, expect to be convicted of it.  Pray for conviction.  But don’t get discouraged, and whatever you do, don’t give up.  If you do, you’re playing right into Satan’s hands.  His desire is that you “throw in the towel” on Christianity and let your sinful desires rule you.  But we mustn’t give Satan his way.  We must carry on and follow our Lord….no matter what we’ve done, and no matter how we feel.  We must follow Him in joy and in pain, sorrow and gladness, fear and courage, good days and bad days, in faith…and in REPENTANCE.  Even if it’s Redundant Repentance.  We must carry on and renew ourselves once again to following Christ…and daily becoming more like Him in all things.

“Please Take My Life, O Lord”--- Some Thoughts On The Suffering Of The Saints

“And Elijah requested for himself that he might die, and said, ‘It is enough; now, O LORD, take my life, for I am not better than my fathers.’” --1 Kings 19:4

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Sometimes you’ve just had enough.  When you study the Scriptures, you frequently come across some of God’s people who have reached their breaking point.  Circumstances, exhaustion, family problems, fears, and numerous other issues can cause a person to say, “Enough!  Just take me home, Lord.”  This happened to Elijah.

            The fascinating thing about Elijah, is that he was fresh on the heels of a tremendous mountain top experience (literally) with God in which he was victorious over the prophets of the false god Baal.  Elijah’s faith was strong, and God had shown Himself powerful when He rained fire down upon Elijah’s sacrifice.  But no sooner had Elijah celebrated the victory, than the wicked Jezebel made a vow to take his life.  Elijah fled.  Elijah isolated himself in the wilderness.  And Elijah prayed that he might die.  ‘It is enough; now, O LORD…’   But death remains in God’s hands, and Elijah’s day had not yet come.  God provided rest.  God provided food.  God provided strength.  And in due time, God provided His own Presence to sustain and restore Elijah.

            The Prophet Jeremiah had a similar experience.  He preached exactly what God told him to preach…and he got beaten and placed in the stocks for it.  Some of his listeners hated him, some of his listeners made fun of him, and some even wanted to kill him.  Jeremiah had enough, and cursed the day of his birth, wishing that he had been “killed before birth, so that my mother would have been my grave.” Jeremiah 20:17   But God’s plan was different.  God sustained Jeremiah, and appointed him to faithfully preach a largely ignored message well into his eighties.

            Moses, who was commissioned to lead over 600,000 Israelites, had no food to give them.  They mourned.  They complained.  They pleaded.  And Moses asked God to take his life.  “So if You are going to deal thus with me, please kill me at once.” Numbers 11:15 (NASB) Once again, God proves faithful, saying that he will provide meat for all the people, but Moses argues.  How are You going to do that God?  Are you going to give us every fish in the sea?  Are You going to slaughter every animal on the planet?  There are 600,000 of us…and we have NO FOOD.  What’s Your plan God?

            Have you ever asked that question?  What’s Your plan God?  Because from my perspective, it looks like I’m doomed.  From my perspective nothing is going right.  From my perspective….I can only say, “It is enough O Lord….please take my life.” 

            God’s answer to Moses is an incredible reminder of where our faith must rest.  God’s answer to Moses is an answer to ANYONE facing a crisis.  God’s answer to Moses, is an answer for YOU and I as well. “The LORD said to Moses, ‘Is the LORD'S power limited? Now you shall see whether My word will come true for you or not.” Numbers 11:23 (NASB) In Hebrew, God literally said, “Is The Lord’s Hand Short?”  It’s as though God said, “I don’t care if there’s 600 BILLION people Moses….I’m GOD!...AND I CAN PROVIDE.”  And provide He did.

            As Christians, plodding along in a world that so often opposes us…we need constant reminders of GOD’S ABSOLUTE POWER….and GOD’S PERFECT FAITHFULNESS to use His power for our good (Romans 8:28).  So often we encounter circumstances that seem completely hopeless….Yet there is ALWAYS hope, when your GOD is the LORD.  Even The Apostle Paul faced circumstances so overwhelming that he “despaired, even of life itself.” (2 Corinthians 1:8)  Yet God allowed those circumstances “So that we would not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead.” (2 Corinthians 1:9) 

          Our trust in God is never risky.  God is always faithful to execute His perfect plan.  The fact that we don’t know what that plan is…..or don’t particularly like the way God is carrying it out, is irrelevant.  Sometimes we want to live….and God lets us die.  Other times we want to die, and God makes us continue living.  Sometimes we pray for things, and then complain when we receive them.  Other times God gives us what we never thought to ask for, and we take it for granted.  Some days we’re filled with joy….other days we’re broken with despair.  But, even when the dark clouds move into our soul, we must cling to what is good.  And take comfort in the fact that God is clinging to us.  “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. And I give eternal life to them; and they shall never perish, and no one shall pluck them out of my hand.” (John 10:27-28) As it’s been said, even on the darkest and cloudiest of days…the sun is still shining as bright as it ever did…just beyond the clouds.

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‘It is enough; now, O LORD, take my life.” (1 Kings 19:4) 

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“Is the Lord’s Power limited?” (Numbers 11:23)

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“Though the fig tree should not blossom and there be no fruit on the vines,
Though the yield of the olive should fail, And the fields produce no food,
Though the flock should be cut off from the fold, And there be no cattle in the stalls, Yet I will exult in the LORD, I will rejoice in the God of my salvation.” Habakkuk 3:17-18 (NASB)

When GOD Seems Gone

Have you ever felt like God has abandoned you?  Every Christian feels it at times.  Sometimes those “times” are short…but great despair comes when those “times” are long.  Days and weeks give way to months and years…and God appears to have vanished.  Prayers hit the ceiling and bounce back mockingly.  Trial after trial after trial torture the soul to the point of giving up.  Why doesn’t God do something?  Doesn’t He know how deeply I would worship and love Him if only He would deliver me?  But that’s really the catch isn’t it?  ANYONE (including scoundrels) will worship a God who gives constant comfort.  God is looking for those who will be satisfied in Him alone when things are good….and when things are horrendous.

            C.S. Lewis’ renown book, The Screwtape Letters, gives a fictional (yet packed with truth) account of letters written from a “Senior demon” to a “Younger demon” on how to discourage and destroy Christians.  The book is short, easy to read, and yet deeply profound.  It's well worth your time and the $10 it costs to buy it.  At one point in the book, the young demon Wormwood thinks he has his “Christian subject” right where he wants him, because he’s brought despair into his life.  The older demon “Screwtape” rebukes him, saying:  “Do not be deceived Wormwood.  Our cause is never more in danger than when a human, no longer desires, but still intends to do God’s will.  He looks around at a universe from which every trace of God seems to have vanished, and asks why he has been forsaken…and still obeys.”  (page 42) 

            That's what it's all about isn't it?  Even in the darkness, trusting God to the point of childlike faith...and obedience.  Trials are a major test of faith.  Yet, they truly are a “test.”  Are we willing to endure the pain, obey the Father, and continually cry out to Him?  Or shall we give up, throw in the towel, and grant Satan a victory?  The temptation to give up is overwhelming at times…but by God’s Grace, it must be resisted.

            Old Testament Job knew plenty about suffering…and he knew what it was like to feel abandoned by God.  "Behold, I go forward but He is not there, And backward, but I cannot perceive Him; When He acts on the left, I cannot behold Him; He turns on the right, I cannot see Him.” (Job 23:8-9 NASB)  Sound familiar?  I look to the right and left, front and back….and God is NOWHERE that I can see.  But God was still there, and Job knew that.  “But He knows the way I take; When He has tried me, I shall come forth as gold.” (Job 23:10 NASB) 

            When you think about it, the important part is not that we always know what God is up to…the important part is that God always knows what we’re up to.  God is fully aware of our circumstances…regardless of whether we “feel” Him or not.  Our trials are designed to test us and make us more like Christ.  That’s easy to say…but HARD to live.  VERY HARD.  Job got discouraged.  Job wanted to die.  Job was confused.  Job’s life was ruined.  But Job knew, deep down, that God had NOT abandoned Him…and when the massive test was over, he would shine forth as gold.

            I’ll close with one more example of a man feeling deserted by God.  Do these words ring a bell:  “My God, My God, Why Has Thou Forsaken Me!” (Mark 15:34) You think you’ve got it bad?  Try getting betrayed by a friend, denied by another friend, having everyone dessert you, the police arrest you and beat you to a pulp, then sentence you to a public, naked, execution within hours of your mock trial.  If that’s not enough, how about enduring the jeers and taunts of an uncontrollable mob.  Then be spit up on.  Then have a crown of thorns pushed onto your head.  Then be nailed to a cross.  Then be separated…for the only time in history….separated from the perfect fellowship you’ve always had with your Heavenly Father.  Jesus wasn't "feeling" abandoned...He ACTUALLY WAS abandoned from the Father...on YOUR behalf.  (Let THAT ONE sink in for a moment.)  Then try having the wrath of God being poured out upon you for sins that you didn’t commit.  See if you aren’t tempted to cry out:  “My God, My God, Why Has Thou Forsaken Me!”

          Jesus knew what was going on.  He was “in” on the redemption plan from day one.  But knowing God’s will doesn’t eliminate the pain and despair one feels when they’re living through God’s will.  But aren’t we glad Jesus didn’t throw in the towel?  He had legions of angels at His Divine disposal (Matt. 26:53)…yet he held his peace, endured the cross, so He would pay for our sins and SHINE FORTH AS GOLD!  (Job 23:10)  Now we, as His followers, must imitate Him.  Paul said:  “For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ.”  (2 Corinthians 1:5 NASB)  Comfort we crave. Sufferings we loathe.  But God HASN’T abandoned us.  He’s there.  He’s in control.  And He will make His presence abundantly clear in His perfect time.

            So endure the trial, and wait for His decreed ending to it.  Continue to trust in Him, and follow Him, and obey Him.  Resist the overwhelming urge to quit and go home.  Your eternal home will be here sooner than you realize, and the pains of today will be swallowed up in the splendor of HIS Presence.  Today the trial might remain.  Tomorrow it might too.  But persevere and rest assured, the day is coming when YOU…just like Job, and just like Paul, and just like Jesus…YOU will pass the test, feel God’s presence, and SHINE FORTH LIKE GOLD!