Honesty with God

“In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” Luke 15: 10

He was a religious zealot, well-trained in the holy writings of his people. He took pride in the traditions handed down to him, and when Christianity began to entice people, he went into attack mode. He went after Christians, imprisoning them when possible, trying to frighten them out of their faith. He was even present at the brutal homicide of a Christian who dared to speak to the truth, giving his approval to the execution.
Who am I talking about? Without any context, one might guess that I’m talking about some radical Muslim in Afghanistan or Africa. But I’m not. This is a description of Saul of Tarsus, better known to the world as the Apostle Paul.
In Paul’s first letter to Timothy, he writes openly about his past. He says, “Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.”
Imagine—our congregation and countless others are named after a man who attempted to stamp out the Christian faith, only to be given a second chance by Christ. The mercy and grace given to him through Jesus changed him so profoundly that he began promoting the faith he once persecuted. Reading his letter to Timothy, it’s obvious that Paul was very up-front about what he had done, and what Jesus had done to him. In fact, what Paul seems to be saying here is, “Hey, look, I was the worst sinner I know, and if Jesus can change me and turn me around, he can do it for anybody. He can do it for you.”
Our church is named after a man who tried to destroy Christianity, only to be given a second chance by Christ. We are worthy of the name St. Paul’s only if we continue to be a place where Jesus offers second chances; and third chances, and fourth chances. We’d better change our name if we start putting on airs and thinking we’re better than other people because we know the truth. Paul’s example shows us that being a Christian is not a show, it’s not playing pretend, it’s not a mask or a crutch. Being a Christian means living a life of repentance.
In today’s Gospel lesson we have two examples of the type of stories Jesus told to get his point across. The ones we heard today are ultimately stories about repentance. These parables are among Jesus’ most well-known tales. The plots are simple. A sheep goes missing. The shepherd goes looking. A woman loses a coin and turns the house upside down to find it. But here’s what I want you to notice today: the stories end exactly the same way. Both the shepherd and the woman, having found their lost objects, call their friends and neighbors and say, “Rejoice with me! I have found my lost sheep! I have found my lost coin!” Jesus uses that to say, “…in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over 99 righteous persons who do not need to repent,” and “there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” According to Jesus’ words, heaven does not erupt in celebration when people believe that they’re basically good, based on some good stuff they’ve done. The rejoicing happens when sinners repent.
Do you see things lining up here? First we meet Paul, who, with his past and his second chance, is a model of repentance and faith. Then Jesus tells us stories about the joy in heaven over the sinner who repents. Are you getting the point that repentance is a crucial part of your life with God? But do you wonder, what is repentance, really?
Well, there are a number of ways of trying to describe repentance. Going for a literal meaning, it is a turning around—a change of direction in life. I’ve heard repentance described as admitting your sins, feeling sorrow over them, and asking God for forgiveness. More and more I have come to think of repentance simply as honesty with God.
If I am honest with God, then I will be forced to admit that even as I am serving Him, there are evil thoughts and feelings that well up from my heart and mind. If I am honest with God then I have to admit that my love for Him is far from full and complete, and I don’t love my neighbor as I do myself. If I’m honest with God then I have to tell him where I have done far less than I am capable of, that I have nursed grudges, that I have been unfair and unloving in even the most important relationships. It’s this type of honesty that repentance is made of.
Remember Paul’s example of honesty. Writing to Timothy, he admitted, “I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man.” He confessed to being the worst of sinners. He wasn’t trying to fool anybody. Just the opposite. He was telling the truth about himself. “Lord, here’s who I am and what I do. Save me. Forgive me. Change me.”
Do you have this kind of honesty with God? Are you just beginning to discover it? Are you at a point in your life where it is painfully obvious that sin is ruining your life? If so, then rejoice, because heaven is rejoicing. Take heart, because you’re being honest with God, and that’s what he wants. Listen to and believe this: your sins are forgiven before God through Jesus Christ. The Son of God himself took our death sentence upon himself at the cross, releasing you from the penalty of your sins. Your record is clean. There are no charges against you. A life of ongoing honesty with God keeps you plugged into the freeing power of forgiveness. Paul was not afraid to talk about his past, because it meant he would also be talking about Jesus, the giver of undeserved blessings. We do not have to be afraid to talk about our sins, either, because the same grace and mercy—the same do-over--given to Paul is given to you. Honesty with God allows us to enjoy the benefits of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross and his triumph over death on Easter. It is dishonesty about our sin that prevents us from living in the gifts of Christ. My friends, go with repentance. Go with honesty. And when you do, you can live knowing that you have a God who feels this way about you, from Ezekiel 34:
“I will search for the lost and bring back the strays. I will bind up the injured and strengthen the weak. I will rescue them from all the places they were scattered on a day of clouds and darkness. I will tend them, and they will feed in a rich pasture.”
And, again, quoting Paul: “Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.”
Christ was patient with Paul, and Paul is proof that Christ can forgive and change anyone. He patiently loves you. He has made forgiveness and a new way possible for you, too. Let’s make heaven ring with rejoicing, today and throughout our lives, with our honest repentance and our faith in the one who gives eternal life, Jesus Christ. Amen.