A new experience for most of us. By Ellen White

Reading time: 5 minutes

"When our Lord and Master Jesus Christ said, 'Repent!' (Matthew 4,17:XNUMX), He wanted the whole life of believers to be one of repentance."
Martin Luther in the first of the 95 theses

Today we live in the great day of atonement. While the high priest was doing atonement for Israel back then in the shadow ministry, everyone turned to himself: They repented of their sin and humbled themselves before the LORD so as not to be separated from the people.
In the few remaining days of probation, all those who would like to have their names in the book of life will reflect before God in the same way. They mourn over sin and sincerely repent.
They search their hearts deeply and carefully, discarding the superficial, flippant attitude that characterizes so many "Christians." A serious struggle awaits those who wish to tame the evil, control-seeking tendencies. – great controversy, 489

Something very personal

Preparation is something very personal. We are not saved in groups. Purity and devotion in one cannot make up for what is lacking in the other. Although all nations will be judged before God, yet He will examine each individual's case as closely as if there were no other living thing on earth. Each one is tested and finally "should not have a spot, or a wrinkle, or anything like it" (Ephesians 5,27:XNUMX). – great controversy, 489

Solemn events are associated with the final work of atonement. It is a matter of great importance. The judgment in the heavenly sanctuary is in session. It has been running for many years now. Soon—no one knows how soon—the cases of the living will come. In the awesome presence of God, our lives will be examined. So we do well to heed the Savior's command: “Watch and pray! For you do not know when the time will come.« (Mark 13,33:XNUMX) – great controversy, 490

Keep your vows!

'So remember what you have been entrusted with and what you have heard. Hold fast and repent!” (Revelation 3,3:XNUMX DBU) Those who are born again do not forget how joyful and joyful they were when they received the light of heaven and how enthusiastic they were about sharing their happiness with others…

»Hold on to it!« Not to your sins, but to the comfort, the faith, the hope that God gives you in his word. Never be discouraged! A discouraged is sidelined. Satan wants to discourage you, to tell you: »There is no point in serving God. It's useless. You might as well enjoy the pleasures of the world.” But “what will it avail a man if he gains the whole world and loses his life” (Mark 8,36:XNUMX)? Yes, one can pursue worldly pleasures, but then at the expense of the world to come. Do you really want to pay such a price?

We are called to hold on and live out all the light we have received from Heaven. Why? Because God wants us to comprehend the eternal truth, to act as his helping hands and to light the torch of those who have not yet consciously experienced his love. When you gave yourself to Jesus, you made a vow in the presence of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit—the three great personal dignitaries of heaven. Keep your vows!

Constant repentance

"And turn back!" Repent. Our life is to be one of constant repentance and humility. Only if we constantly repent will we also constantly win victories. When we have genuine humility, we have victory. The enemy cannot snatch from the hand of Jesus who simply leans on His promises. When we trust and follow God's direction, we are receptive to divine impressions. God's light shines into the heart and illuminates our understanding. What privileges we have in Jesus Christ!
True repentance before God does not bind us. We don't feel like we're in a funeral procession. We should be happy, not unhappy. At the same time, however, it will hurt us all the time that we sacrificed so many years of our lives to the powers of darkness, even though Jesus gave us his precious life. Our hearts will sorrow as we remember that Jesus sacrificed himself for our salvation, but in the service of the enemy we have devoted some of our time and talents that the Lord has entrusted to us as talents to do in his name honor. We will regret not having tried everything we could to learn the precious truth. It enables us to exercise the faith that works through love and purifies the soul.

to do penance for others

When we see people who are without the Messiah, why not put ourselves in their shoes, repent before God on their behalf, and only rest when we have brought them to repentance? It is only when we do all we can for them and yet not regret them that sin lies alone at their door; but we may continue to feel sorrow at their condition, show them how to repent, and try to lead them step by step to Jesus their Messiah. – Bible Commentary 7, 959-960

Our only security

Our real place, and the only place where we are even safe, is where we repent and confess our sins before God. When we feel that we are sinners, we will trust our Lord and Messiah Jesus, who alone can forgive transgression and impute righteousness to us. When the times of refreshing come from the face of the Lord (Acts 3,19:XNUMX), then the sins of the penitent, who received the grace of the Messiah and were overcome by the blood of the Lamb, will be blotted out in the books of heaven, laid on Satan - the scapegoat and author of sin - and never to be remembered against him again. – Signs of the Times, 16. May 1895