I Repent

Verse 1
I repent I repent of my pursuit of America's dream
I repent I repent of living like I deserve anything
Of my house my fence my kids my wife
In our suburb where we're safe and white
I am wrong and of these things I repent

Verse 2
I repent I repent of parading my liberty
I repent I repent of paying for what I can get free
And for the way I believe that I am living right
By trading sins for others that are easier to hide
I am wrong and of these things I repent

Bridge
I repent of judging by a law that even I can't keep
Of wearing righteousness like a disguise
To see through the planks in my own eyes

Verse 3
I repent I repent of trading truth for false unity
I repent I repent of confusing peace and idolatry
By caring more of what they think
Than what I know of what we need
By domesticating You until You look just like me
I am wrong and of these things I repent

CCLI Song No. 4380584
© 2004 Derek Webb Music (Admin. by Music Services)
Derek Webb

Sunday School With O.J. Simpson

I remember so clearly the eyes of everyone in the house glued to the television screen. Seemingly every station had interrupted their normal news stories to air the live police chase taking place in L.A. The white Ford Bronco was being pursued closely by a convoy of police cars weaving in and out of traffic at a high rate of speed. What made this event so captivating was that the driver of the SUV was none other than football legend / screen actor O.J. Simpson! Who could forget the weeks of commentary on the trial, but that car chase just stuck in my mind.

This week the images of that white Bronco racing down the freeway came flooding back to me as I thought on a passage of scripture read to me by a friend. The passage is Hebrews 12:14.  

“Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord.” (Hebrews 12:14)

So what does “pursuing peace” look like? A car chase. When God reveals any bitterness, or unforgiveness in our hearts toward someone else, our response ought to be that of chasing down a fleeing criminal. In a high speed chase the cops are relentless. They won’t let a little change in direction hinder their pursuit. They will stop at nothing until the subject is apprehended.

If we want to see Jesus, then we must have pure hearts. If we want pure hearts, we must have consciences that are clear! Having a clear conscience means that there is no one alive that we have hurt or offended that we have not gone to and asked forgiveness and tried to mend the broken relationship. If there is anything between me and my brother, the Bible says my offering won’t be accepted or my prayers answered!

I recently have been earnestly pursuing peace with those who I have been out of fellowship with for one reason or another. I can honestly say, to my knowledge, there is no one I have wronged or offended that I haven’t gotten right with. We’re not responsible for the other person’s response, just our obedience.

Is there bitterness of any kind in your life? Chase it down, cuff it, and take it downtown!