Monday, December 8, 2008

Environment of Repentance

Things are gearing up now! Some of you have been stimulated by this topic as found in Ps 103.
The question has been raised: What was the environment that David experienced that produced the repentance of Ps 51 and the renewal Ps 103?

Consider: A young man walks into youth group with his underwear showing - his pants down too low. The youth leadership addresses the situation - politely and respectfully asks him to change his dress. No problem right? We want to maintain a standard of modesty in our midst that both protects our kids and presents a commitment to decency. So the young man complies with little resistance. Goes to camp - gets saved - time goes by - drifts away with lttle or no interest in spiritual things.
Question: What happened? What does this situation say about the external vs internal nature of our walk with God.

Please note: This is not a criticism of our youth program - I was part of the decision - but it is a hard question about whether repentance took place and if our influence on such a person is focused on the internal or external manifestations of repentance.

Bless the Lord, O my SOUL
and all that is WITHIN ME bless his holy name.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Flesh gives birth to flesh but the spirit gives birth to spirit. (John 3:6)

Now when a mother gives birth to a baby thats one example of flesh giving birth to flesh. But another example might be the boy with the droopy drawers. He may have had fleshly reasons for altering his behavior for a period of time (like the cute girl in the youth group, peer or parental pressures). This is an example of flesh giving birth to flesh with no spiritual transformation.

You should not be surprised at my saying, You must be born again (born from above) ...the wind (spirit) blows wherever it pleases. you hear it's sound but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit. John 3:7-8

Spiritual transformation will not come from the flesh but the Spirit.

So, to answer the question, I believe the environment leading to Davids repentance and restoration is one of conviction from (by) the Spirit of God.