Luke 15:10 (AMP) Even so, I tell you, there is joy among and in the presence of the angels of God over one [[especially] wicked person who repents ([changes his mind for the better, heartily amending his ways, with abhorrence of his past sins).
The read through the New Testament plan that I'm following has come to Luke 15 where we find the parable of the prodigal son (tomorrow's reading). Today's verse immediately precedes that passage on the prodigal son. The Amplified Bible translation (above) gives us a good picture of what repentance looks like; a change in our mind, perhaps our world view, for the better; heartily, not reluctantly changing our ways, and abhorring, hating our past sins - never wanting to go back to them.
John Calvin comments on repentance, saying, "Repentance is an inward matter, which has its seat in the heart and soul, but afterwords yields its fruits in a change of life." It is not just confessing and expressing remorse over sins, it is changing our lives, our behavior in the power that Christ gives us. Eventually it will permeate our lives. Can you picture the angels in heaven cheering, "way to go!" to a prodigal child returning to the Father?
Have you experienced the change or desiring continued change in areas of your life? I would encourage you to read the parable of the prodigal son today or tomorrow. Take a look at the characters, who do you identify yourself with?
Luke 15:8-10 (NKJV) The Parable of the Lost Coin
8 "Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it? 9 And when she has found it, she calls her friends and neighbors together, saying, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found the piece which I lost!' 10 Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents."
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