Gospel Reflections #157: Repentance is Our Response to God's Love.

Luke 19:9 "Today salvation has visited this house."

These words were said in the story of Zacchaeus, after Jesus asked to stay at Zacchaeus' house, went to Zacchaeus' house, and Zacchaeus made a joyful confession. Jesus approaches us before we repent.

One must be touched by God's grace before one can be motivated to repent and be restored. Only after being touched by God's grace can we respond positively, as Zacchaeus did.

We do not repent for God's approval or acceptance. We repent because God loves us and because we are in touch with His grace.

Repentance is a turning of our hearts toward God. God's love works in our hearts and envelops us. We are healed, filled, and renewed by it. It gives us joy and hope, and it remakes us from within.

We repent because God first loves us, forgives us, and accepts us. God is constantly visiting our hearts so that His love is the motivation for all we do! And repentance is a response to God's love.

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This Gospel Reflections page is written by Masae San, a devoted student of the Bible who passionately embraces the Gospel of Jesus Christ. She shares her daily reflections on the Gospels as a way to reach out to others and spread the message of Jesus. We're sharing her message here so that you too can experience the joy that comes from the Gospel that has filled her heart.