We cannot maintain an intimate relationship with God. Our pattern is to fall away and sinfully do our own thing... generation after generation. We continue to emphasize and glorify all the wrong things. All God asks is that we simply repent.
God's Word presented in song and verse.
in those quiet times spent alone with Him and in His Word. After nine years composing, arranging and recording... The Alpha & Omega Suite was finished at the end of 2008 and is ready for distribution in 2009! The Suite consists of thirty five parts which span two hours and forty minutes. This inspired music praises God and His Word; introduces His laws; His doctrines; His decrees; His covenants; and His grace to those who may never be exposed to His written Word otherwise. No glory, honor, or prestige is given to this earthly vessel, only to the One Who deserves it and is worthy of it!
Story behind the song
Throughout God's Word, repentance can easily be seen as one of God's major requirements for mankind. Every single law, decree, command and doctrine fall under the requirement of humbling ourselves in repentance to a Holy and just God. Whether attempting to fullfil the legalism of the law or desiring to please him while living under grace, repentance is the first step in bringing our self-seeking desires in accord with his righteous will.
Repentance is our acknowledgement that we have been living (and/or approving of) ways contrary to God's righteousness and are grieved by our practices and consequently turn away from them. Ideally we do not continue in those grievious ways but if, in our weakness we do continue, then God in his loving mercy, knowing our heart and desire, shows us grace and mercy and forgives us accordingly.
When king David was confronted with his sins regarding Bathsheba, he humbly fell to his knees and sincerely repented of his wrongs. God was pleased with his response and forgave him of his guilt even though the consequences of his sins haunted him and his family for generations. (2 Samuel 12)
Repentance is required not only of every individual but also of every family, nation and group of people. Just as personal sin destroys the individual, collective sin destroys entire societies and people groups.
When the wicked city of Ninevah was confronted by the message of destruction from Jonah, the entire city, including their king, covered themselves with sackcloth and ashes and repented of their wrongs. And they were a people who didn't even know the God of Israel or his righteous decrees! Their change of heart literally saved their entire city. (Jonah 3)
The New Testament begins with John the Baptist preaching repentance and the forgiveness of sins. (Mark 1) His message prepared the way for the coming of the Lord! Even though John never performed any recorded miracles, Jesus referred to him "there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist." (Matthew 11)
When Jesus addressed the woman caught in adultery, he summed-up her guilt by instructing her to "go and sin no more." She had been rescued from the punishment of death by stoning but now she needed to do her part by acknowledging her guilt and drastically altering her lifestyle. (John 8)
The Bible offers the good news that not only do we need to change, but we can change. We don't have to remain locked to our sinful ways... all we have to do is turn, allow God to direct our paths, "change our ways" and become all that he desires us to be.
Lyrics
(VERSE 1)
Your feeble excuses don't mean anything at all! So easy to justify your selfish ways!
Whether times are good, or times are bad. Just keep on doing those same old things!
And when the days seem strong... and you need no one.
No worries, no cares, kunamatta... livin' only for fun!
Thinkin' only a-bout yourself... accountable to none.
No righteousness or purity... God's word you do shun!
You should repent and change your ways! You must repent, God's Word does say!
(VERSE 2)
"Don't judge me you hypocrite!" You say to those washed in the blood!
"Self-righteous! Intolerant! Narrow-minded! bigot!"
Your weapons of slander are aimed at the one we love.
Saying, "Good is bad and bad is good," in ignorance you yelled. Isaiah 5:20
Practicing lies, deceits and false beliefs... yet religiously you held.
Not wanting to learn any other way. Resisting like a shield.
Succumbing to the wicked one... your thoughts he did steal.
You should repent and change your ways! You must repent, God's Word does say!
(VERSE 3)
Your ears will listen to what they wanna hear! Your eyes will focus where you tell them to!
Your legs can only take you where you wanna go. And you desire to be where you should not head!
There's not much time to take that step... and yet you stall.
A shout comes from the mountaintops to halt and hear His call.
Pride sets in and blinds your eyes... erecting a huge wall.
Why be like Adam and his mate... prisoner's of the fall.
You should repent and change your ways! You must repent, God's Word does say!
(VERSE 4)
You think you can do what you want! Do anything you wanna do!
Don't want nobody tellin' you what to say! Don't wanna be shown any better ways!
And when a voice cries out to change your heart.
Doesn't matter what your past to begin a fresh new start!
God's forgiven all our deeds. He's made gift-giving into an art.
Time to turn around... stand firm and don't depart.
You should repent and change your ways! You must repent, God's Word does say!
