Gratitude and Repentance, Part Three

To conclude a conversation about gratitude and repentance, Dan explores the nature of what we are supposed to repent of, why repentance always begins with confession, and the beauty and bounty that come into play when we are able to live out repentance.

One theme that Dan hopes listeners have been hearing throughout this series is that repentance is not easy, but it opens the door to freedom, play, and joy that cannot be experienced by any other means.

Throughout this episode, Dan uses various passages of scripture to guide the conversation on repentance. Reading from Isaiah 30, Dan highlights the nation of Israel’s alliance with Egypt, which provides protection but not the kind of protection that God desires for his people. Alliances with anyone other than God lead our hearts and lives into deceit and to a place where we will not hear the truth or be able to call out to God to free us,

“When we make alliances with anyone other than God our hearts are going to be on a path that leads to death.”

Romans 2 is an example of the kindness and compassion of God who is willing to call forth for a party, as seen in the parable of the prodigal son, when we repent. Repentance addresses our false alliances, terror, and fear—realities we need to begin to engage. This is why oftentimes repentance begins with confession.

2 Corinthians 7 addresses the difference between worldly sorrow and godly sorrow, as grief alone is not proof that one has truly repented. Grief from pressure causes an increase in either self-righteousness or self-destruction, while grief that stems from privilege of being seated at God’s table brings deep gratitude and a desire to see right done.

  • “That’s the nature of hospitality. Creating a place where the gratitude of what I’ve received can now be taken in with more than just beauty but with a sense of bounty.”
  • “When we begin to bring blessing, narratively with regard to our own heartache and trauma and yet with hope for healing, there is a sense we are creating a protective world for one another. We cannot keep one another from harm, but our ability to celebrate together becomes a shield against the ruin and the harm of evil and the harm of a fallen world that knows so little of what it means to honor, delight, and celebrate.”
  • “Confession moves to repentance, repentance to the offer of reconciliation, and in due season to what it means to celebrate together.”

Resources:

If you are interested in listening to the other episodes in this series: