At another church in another city we had a friend Keith who understood repentance long before he ever repented. Shortly after his wife became a Christian Keith started coming to church. One day following our annual business meeting (now there is a time when the elder brothers show up) he came up to the pastor and myself and told us that he wasn't a Christian "yet" but he intended to be by June and then he said that when we had our annual picnic in June he wanted to be baptised. He told us that he understood that he would not be baptised unless he became a Christian.
In the weeks that followed my wife and I had a regular Bible study with Keith and his wife in their home. Every week we would ask if he had become a Christian and he told us that he had not. When we asked him what was holding him back he said that Christians do not really understand repentance and he could not become a Christian without true repentance.
He was a brilliant man so one day I suggested that he read C. S. Lewis' book, Mere Christianity. That week his wife just happened to find a copy at a church rummage sale. The book gave him a good understanding of repentance.
One week when we where at their home his wife said that Keith had something to tell us. He then told us that he had become a Christian. When we pressed him for details he told us that he and a business partner had a falling out and his partner owed him money. Keith had some software that belonged to the company and intened to keep it until he was paid what he was owed. One afternoon during that week he was alone in his room and he suddenly knew that he had to return the software regardless of whether or not he was paid. He said he looked up and said, "Okay Lord, I'll do it." and at that moment he knew he had recieved the free gift of eternal life. He said that repentance for him was saying that he would love God even if it cost him his money.
By the way, June came and he was baptised in Lake Superior.
3 comments:
I believe repentance is an ongoing process ... not something we do only once and then move on with our lives. Your story of Keith reminded me of Paul and King Agrippa (Acts 36), when the King said to Paul, “Do you think in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?” Earlier (v.20) Paul had told him that his (Paul’s response) to God’s call (vision) was to preach repentance so that men would turn to God and “prove their repentance by their deeds.” This is similar to what John the Baptist had told the hypocritical Pharisees and Sadducees ... that they should “produce fruit in keeping with repentance” (Matt. 3:8). It would seem therefore, that true repentance has to be 'seen to be believed'. Keith's return of the software is a great example! (Pastor Gord)
... of course I meant Acts 26 ... not Acts 36 (that chapter is still being written!!!!) Gord
You are right about repentance being an ongoing process. The story about Keith is an example of how repentance is essential for salvation but repentance is also essential for living the life of faith.
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