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Gladness Leading to Repentance

More By John Kimbell

Did you know there’s a gladness that should lead us to repentance? More often we think of it the other way around. And we are right to do so. Repentance from our sins, along with a corresponding faith in Christ, most certainly leads to gladness.

“Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38).

“Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord” (Acts 3:19–20).

“And they glorified God, saying, ‘Then to the Gentiles also God has granted repentance that leads to life’” (Acts 11:18).

Forgiveness. Freedom from condemnation. The gift of the Holy Spirit. Refreshment. New life. Indeed, all the blessings of salvation come to us through repentance and faith, and therefore repentance leads to unspeakable joy and gladness.

Gladness and Repentance 

However, the Bible also speaks of a gladness that should lead us to repentance. It’s a gladness experienced by everyone in the world. It will be experienced in abundance by families all around our country on Thanksgiving Day. Here’s how Paul describes it when he proclaims the gospel to the idol worshipers of Lystra in Acts 14:15–17:

We bring you good news, that you should turn from these vain things to a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them. In past generations he allowed all the nations to walk in their own ways. Yet he did not leave himself without witness, for he did good by giving you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness.

Paul explains that in every generation, God has been testifying to his existence and goodness by his generous earthly provision throughout the world. He has been satisfying hearts with “food and gladness.” All the while, people have been living in disregard for the Lord, setting their hope on created things rather than on the Creator himself. And now, as Paul calls these idol worshipers to turn from their vain beliefs and trust in the living God, he appeals to their experience of “gladness” in order to spur them on to repentance. In other words, he says, “Realize who has given you this gladness, and then repent from trusting in anything other than God himself.”

This sounds similar to Paul’s statement in Romans 2:4: “Do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?”

Make the Most This Thanksgiving

So how can we make the most of such truths as we gather around the table this Thanksgiving?

First, when your heart is satisfied with food and gladness among family and friends, be reminded that these blessings are given in spite of our sin and undeservedness. May the abundance of our earthly provision not lead us to a sense of entitlement or self-righteous pride, nor to setting our hope on the things of this world. Rather, may they encourage us toward a humble heart that recognizes the generosity of God toward us in spite of our sin. And may that lead us to hope afresh in the provision of his eternal blessings to all who repent and trust in Jesus Christ.

Second, learn from Paul’s example as you seek to engage your unbelieving family and friends with the good news of the gospel. Look for opportunities to highlight the abundant earthly provision of the Lord in this life, in spite of the fact that we so often live in blatant disregard for him. God is patient and forbearing and kind. Yet this situation will not last forever. These earthly provisions are not sufficient in themselves. They are intended to lead us to recognize the goodness of God so that we might repent of our sinful disregard and place our trust in him. Earthly “gladness” is intended to lead us to repentance, so that we might ultimately experience eternal joy in Christ.

Is there enough evidence for us to believe the Gospels?

In an age of faith deconstruction and skepticism about the Bible’s authority, it’s common to hear claims that the Gospels are unreliable propaganda. And if the Gospels are shown to be historically unreliable, the whole foundation of Christianity begins to crumble.
But the Gospels are historically reliable. And the evidence for this is vast.
To learn about the evidence for the historical reliability of the four Gospels, click below to access a FREE eBook of Can We Trust the Gospels? written by New Testament scholar Peter J. Williams.

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