For observant Jews all over the world, this evening, the Day of Atonement is remembered. The Day of Atonement is the most holy of days in the Jewish calendar. It’s an annual picture of forgiveness that people could have. While Christians don’t celebrate this day, it’s one worth studying because everything about it points to Christ and the gospel.
Atonement refers to God’s work of dealing with our sin. Because of sin, the relationship between man and God has been broken.
Repentance is sincere remorse or regret for an action. Theologically, repentance is associated with the idea of turning away from sin and turning to God.
James 4:7-10 gives what’s almost like a “how to” guide for repentance. It’s not exhaustive, but he says five things that are important to repentance.
1. Repentance involve submission to God
Repentance isn’t just about moralism. It’s about an actual desire for God.
It’s not “well I’ll just drink less” or “get control my temper better.” It’s not just “don’t do that,” but it’s a turning to God. It’s recognizing that God is greater than your sin, that he is better. That his ways are better. That turning from sin is turning to a better way.
There are two ways to go. The way of the wise and the way of the fool. This is based off of the wisdom tradition of the Old Testament. Which often talks about these two roads.
In James 3:13, he asks a rhetorical question, “Who is wise in understanding among you?”
Who’s wise?
James has much to say about wisdom.
There’s a difference between wisdom and knowledge. Knowledge is knowing facts. Wisdom is living out a life that is applying what God has revealed.
Knowledge is knowing that you have brownie mix in the pantry. Wisdom is making brownies.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
-Matthew 5:10
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus begins the sermon with a section called The Beatitudes, 8 statements, most of which seem counterintuitive at first glance. But these are much deeper than pithy statements. They point us to the ethics of Jesus.
The final beatitude is in Matthew 5:10, while verses 11 and 12 elaborate on it.
Blessed are the persecuted.
Josh Benner 