Revived by Righteousness

Last week, a whitewater kayaker named James Shimizu posted footage of what he called his “closest call.” In the video, his kayak flips over, knocking him unconscious, and a timer comes up on the video, showing that he is underwater for three minutes and twenty-four seconds before three hikers pull him out. The hikers can be heard confirming that James is not breathing and they begin CPR. After over a minute of CPR, James is revived. It’s a harrowing video to watch and we have decided not to link to it due to some language used in the video, but as scary as the first two and half minutes are, the jubilation at James’ revival is so powerful, because revival is powerful. Here was a man on his way to death and yet breath was brought back to him. That’s the Christian story in a nutshell right there: we are all dead in our sins, but God sent Jesus to bring us the breath of life, to revive us, so that if we accept His payment and repent of our sins, we may live for all eternity with Him in Heaven.

“But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.” (Romans 5:8)

“Zion will be restored by justice; those who repent will be revived by righteousness.” (Isaiah 1:27)

Do you feel revived by righteousness? Have you truly repented of your sins? This is the qualification Isaiah gave in his statement: those who repent will be revived by righteousness. A lot of people have asked for the forgiveness of their sins, but not as many have repented of them. To repent means to turn around and go the other way, so to repent of sins is to turn from them and go the other way. Don’t sit near your sin or take your sin and lock it in a drawer for a while just so you can return to it later. Repent of your sins! Go the opposite way from them. This was John the Baptist’s message, and when John was locked in prison, it became Jesus’ message.

“In those days John the Baptist came to the Judean wilderness and began preaching. His message was, ‘Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.’” (Matthew 3:1-2)

“From then on Jesus began to preach, ‘Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.’” (Matthew 4:17)

Have you repented of your sins or are you still choosing the same ones over and over again? Do you feel like you’re just asking for forgiveness repeatedly instead of taking the action of turning from your sins and walking with Jesus away from them? Repentance comes after confession; if there are sins you are hiding in the darkness, bring them to the light while there is still time. Confess your sins and turn away from them. You’ve spent enough time walking one direction and choosing sin—now is the time to turn and walk with Jesus. Repent and be revived by righteousness.

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.