The two most recent blog articles have been regarding the Parable of the Lost Sheep and the Parable of the Lost Coin.  Both parables basically tell similar stories, but more importantly, both make the same point.  We can easily know this because at the end of each of these parables, Jesus makes very similar statements regarding the fact that there is joy in heaven over one sinner who repents(Luke 15:7, 10).  If you have not already done so, I would recommend that you pause reading this article and go back to those two prior articles and read them, as the topic I want to present here is specially based on what takes place in those two parables(and the next one for that matter).

Today was a great day!  I was able to worship God today with some other people who were also worshipping God(Heb. 10:24-25).  I had the opportunity to remember Jesus’ death on the cross for my sins, just like Jesus said I am supposed to do( Luke 22:19-20).  But there was something announced before we did any of that.  Just a few days earlier, someone had obeyed the gospel, or to use the language Jesus used in the two parables previously mentioned . . . a sinner repented.  According to Jesus, there was joy in heaven(Luke 15:7, 10).  Let’s not just gloss over this point . . . this sinner, this person whom Jesus died for repented, and as a result of his repenting, there was joy in heaven!  Hallelujah!  By the way, if you do not know what the word “hallelujah” means, it means praise the Lord.

Someone repenting and being saved from their sins is awesome!  And we know it must be pretty wonderful if that event causes joy in heaven.  But if that is the case, why was that announcement met with silence?  I’m not suggesting there was stunned silence.  There was no discernable reaction by the congregation.  Why?  If there was joy in heaven, shouldn’t there have been joy on earth?  Shouldn’t people who understand how wonderful someone repenting is be more excited and happy and joyful?  I’m not suggesting that no one in the room cared.  I can only assume that everyone there thought it was great, but we all, myself included, did an excellent job of hiding our joy.  And this really bothers me.

Someone who was going to spend eternity in hell separated from God is now going to spend eternity in heaven with God.  Does it get any better than that?  I’m serious.  Does it get any better than that?  And if it doesn’t get any better than that, how can we just sit there and say nothing when something this wonderful is presented to us?  As this day has progressed and I have been thinking about it more and more, I have gotten sadder and sadder.  But it doesn’t stop there.  I haven’t’ just gotten sadder . . . I’ve gotten angry.  I am thoroughly angry about this!  Why did we all(again, I am part of this) just sit there and have no discernible response when something this wonderful happened?  Why?

If your favorite sports team was in the championship game and won, would you just sit there like a bump on a log?  You would likely jump out of your seat, if you weren’t already standing in anticipation, and cheer or say, “Yaaaaay!!!”  I’m serious.  Think about this for just a second.  Shouldn’t a sinner repenting be WAY more important than a team winning a game?  I doubt very seriously that joy is experienced in heaven when ANY team wins ANY sporting event.  But I do know for a fact that there is joy in heaven when a sinner repents.  Jesus told us, not once, but twice in rapid succession(Luke 15:7,10).

I freely admit that I don’t know the answer to my own question, but what I do know is that something should have been said or done.  We are supposed to provoke(or stir up) one another to love and good works(Heb. 10:24).  We are supposed to encourage one another(I Thess. 5:11).  We are supposed to rejoice with those who rejoice(Rom. 12:15).  When someone repents, they must be rejoicing, right?  Even if they were not, we should be.

I feel horrible . . . I am sad . . . I am angry . . . I don’t know what to do.  Admittedly, I do feel somewhat better after apologizing to God for my own failure in this.  And I know He forgives me, because that’s just Who He is(Ps. 103:12; I John 1:9), but I don’t think I’m ready to be forgiven yet.  What happens when someone else repents?  What will I do?  I need to figure this out.  I have asked for wisdom(Jam. 1:5), but until that prayer is answered, I will have to wait . . . patiently.  It’s too bad I’m not very good at that(being patient).

Moving forward, let’s rejoice when there is reason to rejoice.  And let’s REALLY REJOICE when a sinner repents.  Let’s rejoice so that God knows we are rejoicing(yes, He knows our hearts, I realize that).  Let’s rejoice so that others can see it and be encouraged by our rejoicing, and be encouraged to join us in our rejoicing.