Word@Work 002 - Mark 1:4-5
Published: Tue, 11/13/07
Word@Work from BeaconLight
Read Mark 1:4-5 "And so John came, baptising in the desert region and preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptised by him in the Jordan River." (NIV)
Repentance and confession are the keys to change, for people who do not get everything right. Yet our fear of being sued if we admit the truth removes most businesses and professions from these starting blocks of real progress. Even governments cannot bring themselves to accept responsibility for their own errors. Small wonder that they find real change for the better is next to impossible.
In fact, there is little forgiveness in worldly institutions because, apart from Christ, sin can only be swept under the carpet - providing good reasons for the next office incumbent to gloat as the carpets are pulled up. But, piling good ideas onto a corrupt past cannot work for long. The past has to be dealt with.
John the Baptist announced that God was coming, and it was time to get cleaned up. Of course, repentance of heart and confession is only the beginning - but it is the essential first step in coming to God ... or indeed getting right with anyone. We have a God whose graciousness is largely unknown to corporate business. The believer shows how much he believes in a God who forgives and restores when he genuinely admits his faults. Strangely, such humility is secretly respected. Millions of sin-laden hearts want to be unburdened but think it is impossible. Only the Christian can prove that it is possible.
Repentance is our part, and forgiveness is God's. Through Jesus, a forgiven man or woman is not only a released personality (and a witness of God's grace), but also an agent for real change. Admitting what is wrong is the essential prerequisite to progress. If Christian conviction led William Wilberforce to stop the slave trade and Elizabeth Fry to bring dignity to prisoners, what could you do to change your bit of the world in Jesus' Name?
Prayer: Gracious Father, help me to admit the truth about myself and the society in which I live. Help me to move on by receiving Your forgiveness and changing what is wrong. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Repentance and confession are the keys to change, for people who do not get everything right. Yet our fear of being sued if we admit the truth removes most businesses and professions from these starting blocks of real progress. Even governments cannot bring themselves to accept responsibility for their own errors. Small wonder that they find real change for the better is next to impossible.
In fact, there is little forgiveness in worldly institutions because, apart from Christ, sin can only be swept under the carpet - providing good reasons for the next office incumbent to gloat as the carpets are pulled up. But, piling good ideas onto a corrupt past cannot work for long. The past has to be dealt with.
John the Baptist announced that God was coming, and it was time to get cleaned up. Of course, repentance of heart and confession is only the beginning - but it is the essential first step in coming to God ... or indeed getting right with anyone. We have a God whose graciousness is largely unknown to corporate business. The believer shows how much he believes in a God who forgives and restores when he genuinely admits his faults. Strangely, such humility is secretly respected. Millions of sin-laden hearts want to be unburdened but think it is impossible. Only the Christian can prove that it is possible.
Repentance is our part, and forgiveness is God's. Through Jesus, a forgiven man or woman is not only a released personality (and a witness of God's grace), but also an agent for real change. Admitting what is wrong is the essential prerequisite to progress. If Christian conviction led William Wilberforce to stop the slave trade and Elizabeth Fry to bring dignity to prisoners, what could you do to change your bit of the world in Jesus' Name?
Prayer: Gracious Father, help me to admit the truth about myself and the society in which I live. Help me to move on by receiving Your forgiveness and changing what is wrong. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
You can read more of this Bible passage online - in English and other languages - share the Bible with your friends!
W@W002 | Word@Work 2002, 2007 © Dr Paul Adams | Provided by BeaconLight
Contact us at wordatwork@beaconlight.co.uk
Your next Word@Work will be sent on
Contact us at wordatwork@beaconlight.co.uk
Your next Word@Work will be sent on