The Three Circles and Repentance

 

    Hello everybody, my name is Dean Davis, and this is “Multiply,” the podcast

that provides a word of encouragement for Village Church Planters.

When I first began to understand the Good News of Jesus, I loved hearing

message about “abundant life.” One of the first Bible verses I memorized was

John 10:10. “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that

they may have life and have it abundantly.” I wanted an abundant life, a life

full of meaning and hope. But it seemed that all the people who shared the

Gospel with me kept telling me that I needed to turn from my sins and put my

trust in Christ. Then I could experience abundant life. The problem was, I

wanted abundant life without repentance. I remember on several occasions the

preacher was talking about the blessing of being a child of God. Those

messages got my hopes up, but then they he would say that dreaded word,

“Repent.” I was struggling.

Finally, I did repent. I did tell God I was sorry for my selfish way of living. I told

him I would turn away from my sins. I asked Jesus to forgive me. And that is

when my abundant life in Christ began. I had peace with God. I knew I was his

child. When I read the Bible, I understood it. The words that came out of my

mouth changed and so did the way I treated my friends. I was born again.

One of the most beautiful parts of the Three Circles Gospel Presentation is the

arrow that goes from the broken world to the bottom circle that tells the story

of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection. That arrow represents repentance. When

we share the Three Circles, we say, ‘If you will turn from your sins and crown

Jesus as King of your life, he will restore you to God.” This means, if you

repent of your rebellion against God and put your trust in Christ, God will

forgive you and give you abundant life.

Many people are amazed that God would receive us back after we rebelled

against him. And that is pretty amazing. But even more amazing is that God

gives us grace and strength so we can repent. Because of God’s love, we can

change. We are not bound to keep living the same fruitless life we lived when

we were in rebellion against God. We can turn away from evil and selfishness

and sin, we can begin to live a righteous, generous, loving life if and when

we put our trust in Christ.

So, when you share the Three Circles Gospel Presentation, draw the arrow to

show an end to rebellion and a turning back to God. Tell people that they can

repent, they can change, they can turn from evil to God. Let them know that

God is delighted to give us the power we need to trust Him and obey Him.

The Christian life of repentance and faith is a beautiful thing. I am so glad I

repented; I pray that hundreds and even thousands of people will repent and

trust Christ as you share the Good News by drawing three circles and telling

God’s big story.

This has been “Multiply,” and I’m Dean Davis asking, who will you share this

Encouraging word for today?