The Value of Repentance

Matthew 25:1-13 [NIV], “At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish [ill-prepared] and five were wise. 3 The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. 4 The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. 5 The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep. 6 At midnight the cry rang out:  ‘Here’s the bridegroom!  Come out to meet him!’ 7 Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. 8 The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’ 9 ‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you.  Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’ 10 But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived.  The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet.  And the door was shut. 11 Later the others also came.  ‘Lord, Lord,’ they said, ‘open the door for us!’ 12 But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.’ [“it’s too late”] 13 Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.” 

Revelation 19:7 [NASB], Then I heard something like the voice of a great multitude…saying, “Hallelujah!  For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns.  Let’s rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him, because the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His bride has prepared herself.”

“Imagine taking a lamp with you but not taking sufficient oil.  What would it mean?  You have what appears to be needed, but you don’t have enough oil to keep the lamp burning.  Have you made provision for yourself to make sure your lamp will stay burning?  How much praying do you plan to do this year?  What kind of Bible reading plan do you have for the year?  How deep is your commitment?  Or do you think, ‘Oh, I will be fine, thank you very much.’  If so then I say to you with the deepest respect, you are a fool! 

Do not trust yourself so much that you say, ‘I am going to be fine.’  Do you dare to go out into your day without having spent thirty minutes on your knees?  Do you make sure that your Bible reading is done, even if nothing else happens that day?  When the midnight cry comes, you won’t be thinking, ‘Well, I was always on time for work, and I got that pay raise I really wanted.  I got the opportunity that meant so much.’  Do you realize how much these things will mean to you then?  Never think that you are the one who is going to be okay.  Make provision. 

Matthew 25:7 says, ‘Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps.’  It was a sense of moral consciousness—a sudden realization of duty and a return to discipline.  The trouble with many Christians today is that they are not disciplined.  You may manage to get to work on time, but you read your Bible only if it is convenient and if you can get up on time.  You make sure that your bills are paid, but for some reason, praying—well, you have good intentions to get around to it.  You are disciplined when it comes to your wallet, your pocketbook, and anything that concerns your lifestyle.  But when it comes to spiritual things, you have no discipline.  Jesus was giving us this parable to challenge us.  What has the Christian faith done to change your life and your lifestyle?  How disciplined are you?”  —R.T. Kendall

“This time period we’re in is a dressing room for eternity—that’s all it is.  You can’t patch up your prayer life when you get to the Judgment Seat.  You can’t repent when you get to the Judgment Seat.  It’s all between here and there!”  —Leonard Ravenhill

1).  We can do nothing. 

2).  We can strive harder to become better. 

3).  We can pursue a deeper level of intimacy.

Psalm 139:23-24 [NLT], Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. 24 Point out anything in me that offends You, and lead me along the path of everlasting life. 

Job 23:10 [NLT], But He knows where I am going.  And when He tests me, I will come out as pure as gold.

“What good does it do for God to reveal things to us if we don’t do anything with it?”  

Five reasons we should value repentance:
1.  It makes us pure

1 John 1:9 [NIV], If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

“True repentance isn’t just about coming clean…it’s about getting clean and staying clean.”

2.  It enables us to turn

2 Chronicles 7:14 [NKJV], if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and TURN FROM their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

Hebrews 6:1 [NKJV], …not laying again the foundation of repentance FROM dead works and of faith TOWARD God…

3.  It makes us useful

2 Timothy 2:19-21 NLT], But God’s truth stands firm like a foundation stone with this inscription:  “The Lord knows those who are His,” and “All who belong to the Lord must turn away from evil.” 20 In a wealthy home some utensils are made of gold and silver, and some are made of wood and clay.  The expensive utensils are used for special occasions, and the cheap ones are for everyday use. 21 If you keep yourself pure, you will be a special utensil for honorable use.  Your life will be clean, and you will be ready for the Master to use for every good work.

4.  It brings relational healing

James 5:6 [AMP], Therefore, confess your sins to one another [your false steps, your offenses], and pray for one another, that you may be healed and restored. 

5.  It brings refreshing

“A place which was as hard as the rocks, and as barren as the wilderness has been transformed by the power of God into a garden of the Lord.” 

Acts 3:19 [NIV], Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord…