The Altar of RepentanceThe Altar of Repentance signifies a place where one comes forward to make a decision to commit one's life to Christ. The altar played a leading role in Old Testament worship of God. The altar looked to the great sacrifice that the Son of God was to make on the cross. The altar of sacrifice spoken of in the Old Testament was the first thing visible as one approached the tabernacle, revealing that without the shedding of blood there would be no access to God and no forgiveness of sin (Hebrews 9:9). Today...the Altar of Repentance...the shedding of tears of remorse of a sinful life...seeking of salvation...the forgiveness of one's sins...is not as prominent as in years past. Fresh testimonies of receiving salvation...through Christ...are not as frequent. Scripture reveals that if you shall confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in your heart that God has raised him from the dead, you shall be saved. For with the heart man believes unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation (Romans 10:9-10). Old Practices Being AbandonedIt seems a shame that old practices that have been proven to be effective are being replaced by other means. When I was saved, through the grace of God, through the shed blood of Jesus Christ, through the forgiveness of my sins, at a little country church, I went to an altar of repentance, humbled myself before an Almighty God, and cried out to Him. He met me there and a change took place in my life.Scripture reveals that if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature (or creation): old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new (2 Corinthians 5:17). There is a decisive break with the old life at the moment of salvation. There are abiding results of the Christian's union with Christ. World of CompromiseWe live in a world of compromise and it has infiltrated the church. The younger generation is rejoicing in excitement because they perceive the new foundation that is being laid is gratifying and see no need to have it differently. The old-time preaching of sanctification, holiness, and living a righteous life before the Lord, has been brushed aside as a new generation of believers emerge leaving few churches to retain the old paths.God's Word use to be a filtering device through which the ways of the world could be shifted out but now very little filtration is in evidence. When God's people live in a compromised state long enough, or possibly have just come into the midst of it and know no other way, it is easy to have their conscience seared towards acceptability.
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