True Repentance

Chuckle: "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst, for they are sticking to their diets!!"

Good Quote: "In the sentence of life, the devil may be a comma, but never let him be the period." --Author Unknown

 

"He (God) is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance" (2 Peter 3:9b NIV).

Today, let's focus on God's desire that no one should perish but that everyone come to repentance. Repentance is where the "rubber meets the road" when it comes to our saving relationship with Jesus Christ our Lord. The word 'repent' is used in the Bible to describe the beginning of genuine spiritual change. It means "a change of heart and mind" -- a change of direction for your life. It includes putting your sins behind you and making a commitment never to let them be resurrected again. Repentance occurs in the deepest recesses of our minds and consciences. Paul wrote, "but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind" (Romans 12:2). There are two kinds of repentance:

First, is the repentance of remorse. Judas' repentance was of this type and he committed suicide. This type of repentance makes us feel sorry for ourselves and sorry we got caught. Such sorrow does not always lead to a genuine change of heart. Jesus spoke in Matthew 23:27, 28, "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men's bones and everything unclean. In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness."
Second, is true repentance. In contrast with just being sorry for our sins, true repentance takes place deep in our hearts and results in a visible difference in our actions. We begin to see ourselves from God's perspective, and this insight spurs us on toward a permanent change of heart and mind. The Bible is clear that only through repentance can we be transformed and enjoy the assurance of our eternal home in God's presence. The entire gospel (good news) message assures us that no one has sinned so much that they are beyond being rescued by the blood of Christ, but our repentance must be sincere. "But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners (to repentance)" (Matthew 9:13).

Repentance means we recognize our sin, are deeply sorry for it, and have a complete change of attitude towards God about it. It is a 180 degree turn away from sin and toward God. When we place our faith in Christ and yield ourselves to Him, He produces real change in our lives, not just facade. God's desires that you turn away from your sin and all self-righteous efforts to be "good" and begin to enjoy His gifts love, mercy, grace, and freedom which He gives to all who believe! "Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord" (Acts 3:19).

You can't lay hold of Christ while still persisting in your sin. Unless you pry your heart from the passing pleasures of sinful worldly life, you'll never see God. Adam sinned and the whole human race fell under God's condemnation. Sin now rules every unrepentant heart, and if it had its way, it would destroy and damn every soul.

Love, Jerry & Dotse