What Does Repentance Look Like?
Luke 5:5 Simon answered, “Master, we worked hard all night trying to catch fish, and we caught nothing. But you say to put the nets in the water, so I will.”6 When the fishermen did as Jesus told them, they caught so many fish that the nets began to break.7 They called to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. They came and filled both boats so full that they were almost sinking.8 When Simon Peter saw what had happened, he bowed down before Jesus and said, “Go away from me, Lord. I am a sinful man!”9 He and the other fishermen were amazed at the many fish they caught, as were10 James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners. Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid. From now on you will fish for people.”11 When the men brought their boats to the shore, they left everything and followed Jesus.
What leads men into repentance? Is it when they recognize that they are loved by God even though they are sinners? After a hard night of fishing, Peter had nothing to show for it. Then he goes against his own understanding and trusts Jesus at His word to put down his nets once again. What happens then is a miraculous boatload of fish! At that moment Peter recognizes that he does not deserve this blessing from God because of his sinful condition.
God loves me beyond my sinful condition and He asks that I obey Him at His word. In doing so comes true repentance and joy to submit my life to Him knowing that I do not deserve His favor upon me.
Created about 2 years ago
