Repent!

 ‘Peter replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. ‘

Acts of the Apostles 2:38

At first glance, Peter seems to be saying that we need to be baptized in water in order to be forgiven by God and to receive the Holy Spirit. Water baptism however is an outward illustration of an inward act. We need to be washed as it were in the blood of Christ.

Water baptism also symbolizes Jesus’s death, burial and resurrection. It’s through Him that we get forgiven, not by our deeds. Even our repentance is inspired by God.

To repent is to change our minds about whatever our preconceived notions were of attempting to justify ourselves. We need to own up to our sinfulness, and our need of forgiveness. We can’t try and earn our approval with God, we have to fully rely on Him.

God doesn’t just forgive us only to leave us to our own devices. He graciously gives us the gift of Himself, His Holy Spirit. He helps us transform into Christ’s likeness.

‘God, we turn to You, and repent of our sins. We praise You for forgiveness in Christ, and pray for the gift of Your Holy Spirit. In Christ’s name, amen’.

Robert Chamberlain is a graduate of Aberystwyth University with his degree in International Politics and Conflict Resolution. He is currently a teaching assistant with CER Education.  He and his family live in England, UK. You may find more about Robert at Watching Daily at Wisdom’s Gates

Image by DEEPAI