The danger of national repentance

Throughout history, God has always called people to repentance, even at the national level. Through the prophet Ezekiel he spoke to Israel, “Therefore O house of Israel, I will judge you, each one according to his ways, declares the Sovereign LORD. Repent! Turn away from all your offenses; then sin will not be your downfall (Ezekiel 18:30, NIV).”

Whilst it will always be the church’s duty to preach national repentance, there is an inherent danger of which we should always be mindful. C.S. Lewis puts it this way, “The first and fatal charm of national repentance, is, therefore, the encouragement it gives us to turn from the bitter task of repenting our own sins to the congenial one of bewailing – but, first of denouncing – the conduct of others.” May God guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus from this error.