This past Monday was the 494th anniversary of Martin Luther nailing the 95 Theses on the door of the church in Wittenberg. His first theses declared that the whole of the Christian life ought to be one of repentance, but so often we find it difficult to turn from our sin. Instead of looking to Christ, we turn inward and look upon ourselves and our sin. Christian, take to heart these words from J.C. Ryle,

“Are you living in any kind of sin? Are you following the course of this world, and neglecting your soul? Hear! I beseech you, what I say to you this day: ‘Behold the cross of Christ. See there how Jesus loved you! See there what Jesus suffered to prepare for you a way of salvation! Yes: careless men and women, for you that blood was shed! For you those hands and feet were pierced with nails! For you that body hung in agony on the cross!’ You are they whom Jesus loved, and for whom He died! Surely that love ought to melt you. Surely the thought of the cross should draw you to repentance. Oh, that it might be so this very day!” (J.C. Ryle, Old Paths, p. 260)

As we turn away from our sin, let us not forget to look to Christ.