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Oft-times at repentance time the sermon goes out of the window. Repentance is something for others. Calls for repentance are usually directed to everybody except oneself. God wants us to repent and makes it easy. In our text the goodness of God leads to repentance. As Ezekiel says, God does not want the death of the sinner, but he should repent and live! Once this deeper sense of repentance is understood, it becomes easier. Repentance is the return to God; it is the precondition for the gift of new life.

The best example of repentance is given by Jesus in His story of the prodigal son. “I will arise and go to my father,” that is the main point of repentance. Coming home to the father and being received by him with open arms. This is deeply satisfying and gives bliss and peace. True repentance brings joy to the penitent and heaven too. Jesus said, “I say unto you that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons which need no repentance (Luke 15:7). God found the renegade! It always brings joy when those who belong together come together. We should not forget that only God’s forbearance and patience lead us back to Him!

Behind the call to repent is the offer of the kingdom of God, this becomes meaningful when we know where we can turn. God shows us the way, offering us a home; wandering, destitution and the burden is gone when God’s offer of grace is accepted, and His goodness and patience are no longer ignored.

What difficulty prevents us reacting positively to God’s call for repentance? We seek to prove our point – that is our failing. We do not admit our mistakes – it goes against our grain. We think we are right and do not recognize our wrongs nor expect retribution. We take God’s goodness, patience and forbearance as weakness, or worse as justification for misbehaviour. David did not see himself as a sinner until Nathan the prophet told him so in unmistakable terms. David did not deny his fault nor dispute it, but repented! He recognized God had shown him great mercy. God forgave him his sin.

Our greatest mistakes are not our sins, but our failure to return to God. We do not avail ourselves of the richness of His mercy and the sacrifice of His love in the gift of His Son. We seek to justify ourselves but utterly fail in doing so. The truth and mercy of the New Testament remains: “Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” (John 8: 34,36).