The Wonderful Kindness of Repentance

“So then, God has granted even the Gentiles repentance unto life” (Acts 11:18).

“And turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me” (Acts 26:18).

“I preached that they should repent and turn to God and prove their repentance by their deeds” (Acts 26:20).

“Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing God's kindness leads you toward repentance” (Romans 2:1).

“When God raised up his servant, he sent him first to you by turning each of you from your wicked ways” (Act 3:26).

“Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will” (2 Timothy 2:25-26).

The above verses have been going through my head in the last few minutes,* so I thought I would share them with you. Repent and turn keep recurring in these verses, but also notice the words that precede repent and turn. They are grant, kindness, and gently. Repentance is not a harsh word. It is a wonderfully soft word.

*Written January 1988.

This post coordinates with tomorrow's reading in the To the Word! Bible Reading Challenge. If you are not in a daily reading plan, please join us at TotheWord.com. We would love to have you reading with us.

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