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Damage to a Christian's reputation comes in small and large packages. Maybe you made a hasty decision at work that hurt someone's feelings or shared a friend's secret without that friend's permission. Perhaps you told a "white lie" to get yourself out of trouble and got caught. Or maybe you gave in to temptation one night and had sex out of wedlock, now you're pregnant. When such things happen, you might wonder, Can I ever look another Christian in the eye? Can I ever walk into church again? Can I ever again use the name of Christ as my own?

Good news! Yes, you can. But returning to God isn't merely saying, "Oops, I guess I goofed." According to Joel, returning to God involves a heart change, even a broken heart (2:13). You must reject what you've done as the evil rebellion against God that it is, make appropriate restitution, and commit to a new and holy way of living. Instead of just being sorry that you were caught, invite God to clean you up from the inside out. Joel reassures you that it's God himself who invites you. He is "gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness … the LORD your God" (2:13, 14). (See also Jonah 2; 3; Micah 7:18, 19; Zechariah 10:6-12; Luke 7:36-50; Galatians 1:11-24.)

Good Words to Remember:
"Now, therefore," says the LORD, "turn to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning." Joel 2:12

Today's Challenge:
Have you invited God to clean you up from the inside out? Why, or why not?

Copyright © 2001 by the author or Christianity Today International/Christian Bible Studies.

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