Repentance (Part I)
Posted By admin1 on February 3, 2010
Many people desire salvation: meaning to make it into the kingdom of God. But somehow may not know where to begin, nor how to begin. Well, it begins with repentance. “Repentance is the first step into the kingdom of God” (Bishop Crowdy, 1902).
But then many people are lost to what repentance is. Repentance can be described as a regret (Genesis 6:6) or change of mind (Exodus 32:14). This change of heart must result in change of action (II Samuel 24: 16). True repentance will acknowledge the presence of sin and express remorse for it: “For I will declare mine iniquity; I will be sorry for my sin (Psalms 38: 18). If we have truly repented, we will take responsibility for our sin, and account for it even as David did “For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me (Psalms 51:3).
Paul also confessed and acknowledged publicly how he persecuted the Church (Galatians 1:13). Sin brings humiliation, guilt and shame. But there is healing and redemption when we confess our sins. “Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another,that ye may be healed…” (James 5:16). II Chronicles 7:14 “If my people which are called by my name name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land”. We are promised restoration if we turn to the Lord, and healing if we confess.
Sometimes it is not easy to identify whether true repentance has occurred or not, because it is possible for people to act or speak like they have repented whilst their hearts have not. “This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me (Matthew 15:8).
Although the Pharisees had confessed their sins (St. Matthew 3: 6) yet John said unto them “Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance” (St. Matthew 3:8) because true repentance is not only the “talk”, it is also the “walk”.
Repentance must bring not just a feeling, but a change in every aspect of our lives: thoughts, actions, desires just to name a few. This change is a testimony of the power of God working in us (Ephesians 3:20). True repentance is not just for a moment, but is long lasting: “For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of (II Corinthians 7: 10). It means we will be committed to the new ways and the new habits which please the Lord. We will have the realization that our old ways, though pleasing to us, but they lead to death. “For there is a way” the scripture cautions us “that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death” (Proverbs 14:12; 16:25).
When our regret and remorse for sin comes deep within us, we will be converted and thus bring forth the fruits of repentance, “for the sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise” (Psalms 51:17).
The purpose for us to repent is to save our own souls, so that we can be part of the kingdom of God “Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, saith the Lord GOD. Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin. Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel? For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord GOD: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye (Ezekiel 18: 30-32). “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23).
References: The Bible Gospel Told
This report on repentance is good…Keep up the good work.