My, my what an old fashioned word repentance is today. Remember when the prisons were called Penitentiaries? Back then, the prisoners had to do penance. Because to do wrong = a penalty. Today, we call them Correctional Institutes because the prisoners need to be rehabilitated. The secular system is godless. Few will use the word repentance behind the pulpit in fear of offending others. Hollywood has successfully painted a perverted picture of a ranting wild eyed, foaming at the mouth Evangelist, holding up the Bible and screaming “Repent.” Unfortunately, repentance isn’t in vogue for today and is considered foolishness. The truth is, no one will experience God’s forgiveness unless they do repent. A Spirit of Repentance comes through a humble heart that admits they did wrong, and are willing to turn away from it. You may be thinking, but how? “I have been doing this for so long, I don’t think I can stop. How can I break this cycle?
Notice I said, “Willing, you have to be willing to stop.”
In my own life, I realized I was unable to fix what I had successfully messed up. I was a divorced mother raising 3 sons by myself. Although, I thought I was half-way doing a good job, I wasn’t ! I was unaware of the seriousness of the example of my worldly behavior that was forming in my children’s small minds. I loved them in the only way a worldly mother can love. I’d had a bad example growing up, now I was ignorantly repeating what I had been taught.
Sooner or later though, we grow up and admit that we cannot blame our poor childhood or our present circumstances for the noose we put around our own heads. For should we judge others to excuse of own mistakes, we will walk through that judgement in our own life. This means, not one of us can point our fingers at another. What I mean by that is, should we blame anyone for our sins, or consider ourselves above what others have done, even in our thoughts, we have the possibility of walking in their shoes to understand and learn through similar trials. Yes, this does happen.
I was abandoned by my father and now my sons were abandoned by theirs. I craved the family I never had. I felt worthless, ashamed and unable to fix all the wrong in my life. How could I do this? I needed some answers and I was urged to read the Bible in the Book of John. The words literally leaped out to me! I noticed a great divide in what I thought to be love and how God loved. This was when I felt my guilt deepen into remorse. As I read, I began to feel sickened and was repulsed over the things I had done. I learned that God loved me while I was yet in my sins. How could He feel this way? What kind of love was this?
I learned later I was going through the steps of repentance without realizing what it was at the time. Repentance was judging my heart. Guilt can be good only when you listen to what it is saying in your life and you begin to use it to turn yourself around. The power of God uses guilt to speak to your conscience that says: “Enough. Come to me.” My heart was broken, my life was broken; there was nothing left inside of me. My life was a train-wreck and I was helpless.
“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.” Psalm 51:17 kjv
“The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.” Psalm 34:18
After God talked to Job, he repented when he said:
“Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes.” Job 42:6
Jesus said:
“For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him.” Matthew 21:32
“Peter replied, Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Acts 2:38
The word repent in Hebrew means: The Hebrew term teshuvah (lit. "return") is used to refer to "repentance". This implies that transgression and sin are the natural and inevitable consequence of man's straying from God and His laws, and that it is man's destiny and duty to be with God.
Repentance means turning away from your sins and returning to or turn back to God. I returned to the God of my childhood.
We know in our hearts when we hear the gospel that change must come. There is a large thick wall between God’s way and worldly ways.
Rd Ro.2:12-16
We cannot deny, when we do wrong, we know of it. The gospel itself came from The Jews and yet we have learned that:
“A man is not a jew if he is only one outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical. No, a man is a Jew if he is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a man’s praise is not from men, but from God.” Ro. 2:28, 29 niv
When we humbly come to the Lord in repentance we receive what we so desperately need, a new heart in Christ.
There are three Greek words used in the New Testament to denote repentance.
The verb metamelomai is used of a change of mind, such as to produce regret or even remorse on account of sin, but not necessarily a change of heart. This word is used with reference to the repentance of Judas ( Matthew 27:3 ).
Metanoeo, meaning to change one's mind and purpose, as the result of after knowledge. This verb, with (3) the cognate noun metanoia , is used of true repentance, a change of mind and purpose and life, to which remission of sin is promised.
In other words, “I know about it, therefore I know what to do and I’m going to turn around and follow this through.”
Evangelical repentance consists of (1) a true sense of one's own guilt and sinfulness; (2) an apprehension of God's mercy in Christ; (3) an actual hatred of sin ( Psalms 119:128 ; Job 42:5 Job 42:6 ; 2 co 7:10 ) and turning from it to God; and (4) a persistent endeavour after a holy life in a walking with God in the way of his commandments.
The true penitent is conscious of guilt ( Psalms 51:4 Psalms 51:9 ), of pollution ( Psalms 51:5 Psalms 51:7 Psalms 51:10 ), and of helplessness ( 51:11 ; Psalms 109:21 Psalms 109:22 ). Thus he apprehends himself to be just what God has always seen him to be and declares him to be. But repentance comprehends not only such a sense of sin, but also an apprehension of mercy, without which there can be no true repentance ( Psalms 51:1 ; 130:4 ).
I needed this mercy! I needed forgiveness in Christ!
Repentance changes peoples lives. True repentance walks it through, daily. We must remember, that holiness can live in imperfect vessels.
“For though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again, but the wicked stumble when calamity strikes.” Pr. 24:16
Every time you mess up, you become that much more dependent upon the Holy Spirit to be your strength and carry you through. Most important, never ever give up!
The truth about Repentance?
"Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Matthew 3:2
We are a society who needs answers and they need to know how they can be released from going in circles. Yes, there is so much more.
“In reply Jesus declared, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God UNLESS HE IS BORN AGAIN.” John 3:3 niv.
You were once born from your mother. Now, you must be born of the Spirit.
The Bible talks about God’s unfailing love towards us. In our deepest heartfelt woes, He is there. In our most miserable moments where we lose all hope; if we reach out and trust Him at His word, He will take you the rest of the way. Do not try to reason or figure out how or why, because it is by His Spirit you become born again. You come by faith to receive His gift of grace. We may not understand such powerful love and all this may seem foreign to you, but God uses broken hearts so He can give you a new one. He uses broken lives, so He can lead your steps into a place of healing. He wants you to fully see what independence from Him has wrought in your life, so He can fill you up with His hope, love and salvation in His son Jesus Christ. God sent His Son to the cross to set you completely free from all your old ways and even yourself. This is not magic, but it is supernatural. The Bible says that Jesus Christ knew no sin and was made sin for us, so we might have the righteousness of God through Christ. Though you may not see it now, everything you are going through is for your benefit, from His goodness and kindness. His light will shine and you will begin to see the truth. Accepting His truth will bring restoration in your life. Every time you see someone born-again, you are seeing a miracle. Time to humble yourself. You now have a choice to make:
Pray with me:
Precious Father,
I don’t understand it all, but I need your help. I believe that your Son Jesus Christ went to the cross and his blood was shed so I could have forgiveness of my sins. I know I have sinned and I have tried so many times to stop. Help me Lord. I ask that you would take my life, my heart, my mind, my soul, my will, my weakness, my all, and make me a new person in your Son Jesus. I am so sorry I have strayed. I ask that you would forgive my sins. [confess them:___________.] I ask that you would do a deep work inside of me, help me stay focused. Teach me how to walk in your ways and open up my ears so I can hear what your Holy Spirit says to me. Make me strong in you Father. I do repent and ask that you would hold me up when I am tempted. Send your godly people to be by my side so I can draw strength by their love. Send your angels to protect me when I am in harms way. Be with me Oh Father and never leave me. In Jesus Christ I pray. Amen.
If you have sincerely and humbly prayed this prayer, the Bible says you have been born-again. Now, you have the task of growing up in Christ. You must learn how to study for yourself and find a good Bible believing church to help you stay the course. Other believers will pray for you and give you good advice when you are tempted. Welcome to the family of Christ!
No comments:
Post a Comment