From the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Epistle to the Romans

  8-28

"A Call to Repentance" By Eddie Spencer

Why a call to repentance? First, a call to repentance is an instruction in honesty. In the days in which we live, Christians must declare spiritual war on pretense.

These are not times to get all scrubbed up, put on smiley or serious faces, (whichever we deem the most religious) and pretend that everything is wonderful and pleasant.

These are days for honesty; so by the power of God’s Spirit and perspective of God’s Word, we will honestly face the painful circumstances of our lives. The theme verse for this call to repentance is … "


Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting" (Ps. 139:23-24).

Secondly, a call to repentance is an invitation to healing. God is clear in His word that repentance leads to healing…"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 will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land" (II Chronicles 7:14). Often this verse is applied to America. We often surmise, if only the pornographers and abortionists and other big time sinners would repent of their sins, there would be revival in America and national healing. I have no doubt such repentance would be in light of a mighty work of God. This is our fervent hope born of prayer. Yet the audience of the II Chronicles prayer is not the other people, the well known sinners.

I do not think God is talking to Hollywood or even Wall Street. He is calling His people, those who bear God’s name, to repentance." If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray…" Sadly, it is the very people who are calling others to repent who are the very ones God calls to repent, that is, you and me. During our Sunday worship, as a part of our spiritual pilgrimage to the Cross, we will be called to a time of repentance. Daily my prayer for us is to practice repentance. Ask God to search you and show you your life in the presence of His holiness, love and beauty. This is one prayer, if sincerely prayed, when God will not ask you to wait for the answer. May God use our repentance to produce spiritual honesty and healing. May it overflow from our personal spiritual lives to our community at First A.R.P. Church. And may God be praised!

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