Advent’s grace driven repentance

William M. Taylor (1829–1895, an American Congregational minister) said of repentance, “True repentance hates the sin, and not merely the penalty; and it hates the sin most of all because it has discovered and felt God's love.”

In Jeremiah 31:18-20 God assured his wayward people of his love so that they would repent and return to him.

“I have surely heard Ephraim’s moaning: ‘You disciplined me like an unruly calf, and I have been disciplined. Restore me, and I will return, because you are the Lord my God. After I strayed, I repented; after I came to understand, I beat my breast. I was ashamed and humiliated because I bore the disgrace of my youth.’ Is not Ephraim my dear son, the child in whom I delight? Though I often speak against him, I still remember him. Therefore my heart yearns for him; I have great compassion for him,” declares the Lord.

This Advent be assured and reassured that it is a God of limitless love who calls you to repentance over your sin-filled days and faithless nights. Cling to his promise that you are his dear child in whom he delights.  Know that in the Christ Child you have the guarantee that God’s heart yearns for you and that his compassion for you is greater than you can imagine.