Isaiah 55:1-9, I Corinthians 10:1–13 and Luke 13:1-9

We have a dog and two cats. I suspect they can’t repent for behavior we find bad. But at least the dog will look away or look remorseful if we scold her for unacceptable behavior. Now the cats……no remorse. No sense of guilt. They do what they like! They might run from threat of punishment……but no repentance whatsoever.

Our scriptures for Sunday have a lot of examples of at least a call to repentance. The Israelites knew better but sinned while in their Wilderness wanderings. Jesus has to strongly caution others about comparing sins. ALL have reason to repent. Paul points out that Corinthian behavior wasn’t something to shrug one’s shoulders to and just ignore.

Who needs to repent? All. And it’s not just outward behavior but thoughts and words as well.

Few of the offenses mentioned in our texts may apply to us today, (after all, we are Christians yes?), but there will be some “issue” that needs to be personally addressed to God.

Let’s not be cats or dogs on this matter, either “faking” remorse (dog for fear of getting a “talking to”) or cats “we do what we want to do!” After all, we “know” better! We just have a hard time admitting that!

By the way…….there is Good News somewhere in all this!

Don’t despair over sin!

Pastor Barry †