Persistence and Repentance
Some years ago, Eddie Watkins encouraged me to make various changes to one of my websites. For one reason or another, I have rejected his ideas over this time. Yet, he kept on making suggestions to me about how to bring more people to the sites. He was complimentary about the potential, but preached with persistence about the need for change.
Do You Practice Persistence?
In this article, I want to discuss his actions and my actions in relation to three parables. I also want to make application to the Christian and Non-Christian.
Luke 18:1-8
This is a parable of a widow woman who sought out justice from a judge over a wrong to her. Yet, the judge was not interested in man or God, but in himself. After awhile though he considered her effect upon him and whether through annoyance or concern for his reputation he gave in to her pleas. One of the lessons to be taken from the parable is that if one such as this uncaring judge will answer calls for justice, how much more certain is it that a loving, caring God will do so. A second item that stands out is the persistence of the woman. Things looked bleak for her. They looked as if the judge would do nothing. Yet, she kept her faith that justice would prevail. Will anyone have that faith at the end of all things when many will have given up hope? Will there be persistence in calling upon God?
Now, to be clear, I am not calling Eddie an old woman. However, he has been persistent with me. He has desired that I change certain things. Yet, like the judge, I did not lend my ear to him as I should have. Fortunately, Eddie did not given up. He kept on like a bulldog. Why? He is concerned about souls. He wants the Truth of God put in the hands, hearts, and minds of men. Sometimes he has been subtle. Other times he has been direct. He had hope that somewhere along the line, I would respond to his pleas. He had faith that I would come around, not for his sake, but to further glorify God.
I can relate persistence to my brothers and sisters in Christ as well. Often, I see preachers, elders, and Christians pleading with those who have sin in their lives. They call upon them to change. Whether it be along the lines of modesty, attendance, personal lifestyles, study, or a whole host of other topics, they persistently encourage them to change. Yet, the words and or behaviors of the individual are constantly, “No”. The individual may clearly understand why they need to change, that the brothers and sisters love them, that they are right in their concerns, and yet, for whatever reason they refuse to alter their actions.
On the topic of non-Christians, Christians frequently approach strangers, friends, and family to share with them the Words of the Bible. Many folks plug their ears. Others, admit they know what God would have them to do with their lives, but they do not want to change at this point in their life. How many folks do you know that won’t talk religion? It is taboo at family gatherings. Yet, bless their hearts, there are Christians who despite decades of refusal from others, keep on sharing the truth. They keep the faith. They have hope that change will be made while there is still time.
Luke 11:5-8
In this parable, a man has a visitor come in late. He has nothing with to feed him or care for him, so he goes to his neighbor friend to ask for provisions. It is midnight. The neighbor is asleep. He is warm in his bed. He does not want to get up for his friend. The fact that he is a friend is not going to get him out of bed. However, in this parable is the word “importunity”. Albert Barnes called this “troublesome” or “improper” perseverance. In other words, yes, it was not proper to refuse to take “No” for an answer at midnight when his friend was in bed asleep. Still, because of his importunity, the neighbor gets out of bed and gives him whatever he wants. Once again, application here is that God is loving and kind and if you seek with Him you will find. With man it’s not so easy. Again though, there is a second observation I want to take from the parable. That is the flat out refusal by the man seeking to take “no” as an answer.
Eddie ignoring my words and actions over time, kept at me. It was like a kid asking for a cookie. “Can I have a cookie?” “No”. “Can I have a cookie?” “No”. “Can I have a cookie?” “No”. “Can I have a cookie?” “No”. “Can I have a cookie?” “Yes, fine! Take 5 of them!” Now, he would change tactics. He would say things in different ways. He would make comments to make me think about what he had said before. But, he never gave up on me. Boy it was annoying sometimes. (Thanks Eddie!).
Christians, we need to be this way with our brothers and sisters in Christ. When we know they need to fix certain things in their lives, we have to keep at them. Be bold, be subtle, be annoying, do whatever it is you have to do, but don’t take “no” for an answer. “By all means save some!” There are folks who will never listen to you. Do what you can. Speak to them. Speak to their family. Speak to their friends. Speak to groups around them. Give them books. Send them cards. Drop by videos. Leave a tract. Put the message on the radio if you have to do so.
Non-Christians need the same attention. Yes, there will be times you dust your feet off. However, you keep putting the Word out. You hope they will hear about it. You hope they will change. You hope they remember your words years later in life. You pray that their hearts will soften and their ears will hear. Do not accept Satan’s boast that they have no chance. God can change hearts, minds, and behaviors.
Mat. 21:28-30
In this text Jesus is discussing Authority with the Scribes and Pharisees. He presents them with a parable where a father tells his two sons to go work in the field. The first says he will do so, but doesn’t. The second say he won’t do it, but then he does. The question is who does the will of the father. Of course, the answer is the first one.
Eddie’s concern has not been over a sin of mine, but it has been over how we can further glorify God. He kept at me. He was persistent. He was probably importune. However, I have repented, that is, changed. I have decided that anything worth pestering me about for over a year was worth my attention. Especially since I knew he was right. So I have begun to make certain changes on my website to further spread the gospel. I am glad he kept on knocking despite me not answering the door.
If you are a Christian who has been being pestered by other Christians about certain behaviors for which you need to repent, why do you not listen to these people? Do you think that they do not care about you? Do you think they are not worried about your soul? Do you think you know more than all of them? That you stand on an island all by yourself? If they are standing with the Bible, you are standing all by yourself. Yet, they keep reaching for you. Stop the sin. Alter the behavior. Change! You will glorify God when you do.
If you are a non-Christian, who is constantly “annoyed” by Christians talking about God, who is tired of the door knocking, who is tired of the tracts, have you considered that these folks have your best interests at heart? Have you considered they might know something that you do not? Maybe you say, “I have my own religion”. If so, sit down with these folks and show them where they are wrong, but be prepared to accept the possibility you may be wrong. You may find you need to repent of the life you have led. God desires that “all men everywhere” repent. He has stated that if you are following in actions that do not have his authority, you will suffer an eternal punishment. The folks who are doggedly trying to share His word with you do not want to see that happen. Be the son who said “no”, but then repented. There is no reward in persisting in sin.
I hope it is well observed that I have thought a lot about the persistence of a friend. You don’t have to be in sin to learn better ways and improve yourself. We can all grow in our actions such that we further Glorify God. We can all aid and encourage one another to change for the better.