Repent and do the things you did at first. Revelation 2:5

These are Jesus’ words to His bride, the church at Ephesus. At one time they had been passionate about serving Him. They were the megachurch of the region, sending pastors and missionaries to other parts of the world. But as the years went by, their love for Christ grew cold. They were going through the motions, but their hearts were elsewhere. The same thing happens in our churches and our marriages. We get busy, stressed, focused on kids and activities, and we begin to take things for granted. We’re still going through the motions, but we stop doing those little things that keep a church and a marriage healthy.

Healing a marriage starts in the same place spiritual healing begins: repentance. Repentance means we agree with someone else—and God—about our sin and purpose to turn away from it. If a husband has used foul language in fights with his wife, repentance means he owns that destructive behavior, asks her forgiveness, and puts into place steps to overcome that habit. Saying “I’m sorry” before doing it again is not repentance. Repentance is active. It works to change a behavior because it now sees things differently. A wife who has overcharged the credit cards can show repentance by cutting them up and asking her husband to keep her accountable until she can control her spending. Repenting can be humbling and painful, but it’s necessary to heal broken relationships—especially our relationship with God. Repentance is the doorway to peace.

Final Thought:  In what areas of your relationships with other people and with God do you need to practice repentance?

Prayer: Father, I have slipped into bad habits and it’s time to face up to it. I confess _________ to you and ask your forgiveness. Help me ask those I’ve offended to forgive me too. I want to build strong relationships. In Jesus’ name, Amen