Or do you have contempt for the wealth of his kindness, forbearance, and patience, and yet do not know that God’s kindness leads you to repentance? (Romans 2:4)
SCUBA divers know them as cleaning stations. They’re locations on the reef where cleaner shrimp live. Fish stop, open their mouths, and the shrimp hops inside to clean their teeth. I watched my dive guide remove his regulator and open his mouth. The little shrimp worked on his teeth with a featherlight touch. The guide exhaled bubbles and the shrimp jumped back to the rock.
This is another of nature’s symbiotic relationships, where two creatures help each other. The shrimp gets meals delivered to his doorstep, and the guest gets free dental hygiene.
There’s also a symbiotic relationship between grace and repentance. It’s God’s grace that inspires us to repent. At the same time, repentance opens our heart to receive God’s grace.
The fish has to stop chewing and remain motionless while the shrimp picks debris from his teeth. Just so, I have to rest in the grace of Jesus as it removes the sin from my past mistakes and my present character. To continue a life of sin is to refuse the cleansing work underway in my heart.
Grace and repentance are symbiotic. They need each other. There is, however, one vital distinction.
Grace is a cause, while repentance is an effect. God’s grace initiates our reconciliation, then we respond to his kindness with repentance. The two are forever holding hands. Thus, wherever you witness true grace, repentance is but a half step behind.
Prayer: Lord God, I celebrate the union of your grace and my repentance.