"Repentance for Joy"


BIBLE READING: 1 Kings 9, 2 Chronicles 8

       In the end, sinning is never a good time, because it carries a consequence. There might be physical consequences that affect our loved ones around us, or mental and spiritual ones that affect our thought lives. With these consequences comes conviction, because, as a Christian, sinning against God should cut us to the core. Thankfully though, it doesn’t stop there, but leads to repentance and joy in the grace of God and his love.
       Unfortunately, we can forget the joy we are to have in God’s grace through repentance. If we forget, conviction can turn to guilt or condemnation. These lies bring feelings of self-loathing and shame, which stand directly opposed to the truth that we are under no condemnation (Romans 8:1). In turn, we are unable to enjoy God and live the life we were meant to as Christians. We shy away from following God’s plans for our lives because we feel inadequate.
        In today’s verse, God is instructing Solomon that he will bless him if he walks in the way of his father, David. Interestingly, God says that David was a man of integrity, and other scriptures state he is a man after God’s own heart (1 Samuel 13:14; Acts 13:22). Remember, these are descriptions of a husband who committed adultery and then had a man murdered (Read the story in 2 Samuel 11).
You see, we are all sinners. We can wallow in the guilt of our sin or realize that we too can be called a people of integrity despite our sin because of Jesus’ finished work for us. Don’t let the conviction of sin keep you from living a joyful Christian life. Rather, let it lead you to repentance and joy in the grace of our merciful God.
 -selected from www.shortdailydevotionals.com
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