RUN LIKE A CHAMPION

Repentance
Today in our devotions, I want to speak to you about change. Change is critically important in the race of life. As we run this race with endurance, there are going to be changes that are going to take place in our life. In fact, in the book of Acts, in chapter 3, it talks about repenting. The word repent means to have a change of heart, to have a change of mind, to have a change of direction.
It says, “Repent… so there may come seasons of refreshing from the presence of the Lord.” God wants to refresh you in the race, but in order for him to do that, there has to be repentance. Now most of the time when we speak of repentance, we think of some fiery preacher talking about repentance and calling us to repent or we’re going to perish. But repentance is actually a very positive thing.
You see, in order for us to become like Christ… That’s the goal of the race. The goal of the race is to become more and more and more and more like Jesus. In order to do that, you cannot stay the same. There has to be change. In Hebrews, chapter 12, verse 1, where it talks about, “…let us run with endurance the race…” before it says that, it says, “…let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily besets us…”
You see, there are two things we have to lay aside. We have to lay aside any sin, anything that displeases God, anything that is contrary to the Word of God, and then anything that really doesn’t measure up to making us like Christ, anything that keeps us from growing into the image of Jesus. We have to let it go. We have to put it aside. That means change. Change in your life. Change in my life.
Now in this change, first of all, that means a turning away from. We turn from whatever it is that displeases God, that’s not like Christ. Secondly, it means turning to. That means trusting Christ. We can’t change in our own power. You have to understand that. To become like Christ, you must trust him. You must believe him. You must put your faith in him. He gives you that power, he gives you that ability, to overcome and to become all he wants you to be.
Then there’s a third thing. We must be willing to make this a lifestyle change, not just a temporary change, not just a one moment. “Well, okay, I know this is wrong. I’m going to quit.” We need to change our lifestyles. If we will do that, we will become more and more and more like Jesus.
In fact, Christians in the first century, before they were called Christians, were called followers of the Way. There was a way of life, and that meant they were growing in that Way. They were learning of that Way. They were learning the ways of God. I want to encourage you to go before God and say, “God, show me anything that’s not like Jesus and change me today. Make me more like Jesus.”