Posted on Jun 4, 2007

TAYLORS, S.C. (BP)--God's call to our convention is clear. He wants spiritual awakening, renewal and revival. He wishes for us to see the elements of 2 Chronicles 7:14 to be the operative factors in a turnaround in our nation and world. His call is clear. His prescription is easily understood. Today, we focus upon an aspect of His prescription for revival called turning for repentance.

This element for renewal is powerfully portrayed in Luke 15:11-32. As you study that passage, you will note that the prodigal son had to "come to himself" before he was able to understand the reality of the spiritual malaise. By the way, that means that when we are not right with God, we are not "ourselves." Indeed, running from God is spiritual insanity. The only way we can truly be ourselves is to be right with God.

It is extremely important to know that repentance did not occur until that young man began to go home. It was more than a conscious, intellectual decision of emotion or mind. It was a decision that led to action!

God's call for His people to repent is not one just of emotion or intellect. It is a decision of the will that leads to action! When we truly repent of our sin, our arrogance and our self-sufficiency, we will lay aside personal agendas so that the kingdom of God can be furthered through the work of our convention.

To know where and how we must repent, we must have a spirit of humility, a habit of earnest, deep prayer as well as a willingness to seek the face of God in His enlightenment upon our lives. Then, we will know exactly where repentance needs to occur.
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Frank Page is president of the Southern Baptist Convention and pastor of First Baptist Church in Taylors, S.C.