March 5, 2018 - REGRET AND REPENTANCE ARE NOT THE SAME

(Today’s Bible readings: Genesis 46:1-25; Psalms 60; Matthew 27:1-14)

Then when Judas, his betrayer, saw that Jesus was condemned, he changed his mind and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders, saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.”   (Matthew 27:3-4 ESV)

Poor Judas! The guilt he felt for having betrayed Jesus into the hands of His enemies was overwhelming. Judas changed his mind. His sin stared him in the face. “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” In disgrace and shame and hopelessness, Judas went out and hanged himself. How tragic!

Yes, how tragic! Judas was filled with regret that led to his demise. But it did not have to be that way. Jesus “came to seek and save the lost.” (Luke 19:10) Regret without repentance leads to despair and hopelessness. But true repentance leads to peace and hope and heaven.

Jesus put it so clearly: “Repent and believe in the gospel.” (Mark 1:15) It is good to regret our sins, but we must also repent of them, believing that Jesus died on the cross in full payment of all of them.

   1. Today Your mercy calls us
        To wash away our sin.
         However great our trespass,
         Whatever we have been,
         However long from mercy
         Our hearts have turned away,
         Your precious blood can wash us
         And make us clean today.

    4. O all-embracing Mercy,
        O ever-open Door,
        What shall we do without You
        When heart and eye run o'er?
        When all things seem against us,
        To drive us to despair,
        We know one gate is open,
        One ear will hear our prayer.
(“Today Your Mercy Calls Us,” Lutheran Service Book, #915)

Do you understand what Jesus is offering you?

●   Complete and total forgiveness when you repent and believe
●   100 % removal of guilt
●    A confirmed reservation in heaven

Lord Jesus, thank You for offering me complete forgiveness and freedom from my guilt. Protect me from despair by keeping me close to You for the rest of my life. Please use me to share Your “all-embracing Mercy.”  Amen.

Pastor David Paape

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105 ), is the theme for this three-year journey through the entire Old Testament once (the Psalms - twice yearly), and the New Testament twice. There will be daily readings form the O.T., Psalms and the N.T. Special days on the church calendar will be highlighted with appropriate readings. This calendar has been compiled by representatives of the Lutheran Church of Canada, the North American Lutheran Church and the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod. Please click this link for the daily reading calendar:
https://blogs.lcms.org/2017/lcms-lcc-and-nalc-compile-three-year-schedule-of-daily-bible-readings  
Then scroll down to 2018 Bible Reading Calendar and download it if you so wish. The “assigned” daily readings will appear on a daily basis in this blog. May the Lord bless you meditation upon His precious life-giving Word!