By Michael Kelley | Executive Director, Rooted Network
When we talk about strategic discipleship at the Rooted Network, we describe it using two words: rhythmic and experiential.
When we say discipleship is rhythmic, we mean that the life of every Christ-follower should be characterized by seven regular spiritual practices we find in Acts 2. These regular practices include things like daily devotion, sacrificial generosity, prayer… and repentance. These are the foundations our lives in Christ, and also of a healthy church culture.
These rhythms are not meant to just be studied; they are meant to be experienced. That’s why, in our discipleship resources, we provide not only an intellectual engagement of these practices; we provide a framework in which they can be practiced in the context of biblical Christian community.
Repentance as an Ongoing Spiritual Rhythm
While some of these rhythms seem obvious, repentance often requires a little more explanation. That’s because we tend to think of repentance as a one-time action as opposed to an ongoing spiritual rhythm for lifelong transformation.
Contrary to this, Martin Luther wrote in his Ninety-Five Theses:
“When our Lord and Master Jesus Christ said, 'Repent,' he willed the entire life of believers to be one of repentance.”
To repent is to turn. Repenting is recognizing that the direction we’ve been heading isn’t just wrong, but deadly. In repentance, we turn away from that dangerous direction and toward God by His grace. This is essential for true spiritual formation.
Biblically, repentance is not about perfection or penance. Nor is it about feeling sorrow or punishing yourself until you’ve proven you really mean it. It’s a change of heart, mind, and direction. When we repent, we say, “I no longer want to live as if I’m the center of the universe. I want to turn from my sin and toward the God who made me.”
The Gateway to Spiritual Growth
Jesus didn’t just call “bad” people to repent. He called all people to repent. In fact, some of His strongest rebukes were directed at the most religiously impressive people of His day, the people who appeared the cleanest on the outside but refused to acknowledge the sin within their hearts. These religious people were experts at seeing others’ sin, but they were blind to their own.
Repentance is for the prodigal and the Pharisee. It’s for the addict and the achiever. Repentance is about admitting you’ve tried to build your own kingdom and recognizing the wreckage that follows.
What’s more, as Luther said, repentance should be a continual practice in the life of the Christian. We can become so easily hung up on the repentance that accompanies the beginning of the Christian life that we forget how vital it is to Christian living. This is a grave mistake. We are made for repentance because we are made for a relationship with God, and repentance is the gateway to spiritual growth in that relationship.
In Genesis 3, following their sin, we see Adam and Eve hiding, attempting to evade the presence of God and conceal their shame. We may not be grasping for fig leaves, but we hide from the presence of God in much the same way. Through repentance, we can confidently re-enter a relationship with Him and experience the joy therein.
Equip Your Small Groups
The next release in our Rhythms small group series highlights what repentance looks like and how it can become part of the spiritual rhythms of every Christian. It also offers a structured opportunity for repentance to occur within a small group environment.
Download a free sample of Repentance from the Rhythms Series and begin to help people embrace this essential practice for the Christian.
