Repentance, from Mom

Mom has a journal entry entitled "Repentance."  I thought it would be a good place to go after last weeks entry on forgiveness.  Before we seek forgiveness we must see that we've sinned and repent from those mistakes.  I mean, why would anyone think they need forgiveness if they don't first feel they've done something wrong.

Matthew 3:1-2  In those days John the Baptist came to the Judean wilderness and began preaching. His message was, 2 “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.

Matthew 4:17   From then on Jesus began to preach, “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.

According to the Strongs concordance, repentance is a decision that results in a change of mind, which in turn leads to a change of purpose and action.

There is no birth into the kingdom without salvation, turn from sin to Christ.  Acts 3:18  Now repent of your sins and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away.

There is no growth in the kingdom without obedience to Jesus' commandments and a childlike responsiveness of yielding to the teaching of God's Word.  James 1:21-25  21 So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls.  22 But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. 23 For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. 24 You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. 25 But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.

There is no lifelong increase of fruit as a citizen of the kingdom without a willingness to accept the Holy Spirit's correction and guidance.  Ephesians 4:30  And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption.

From me:

The first step toward becoming a child of God is to recognize our need, repent of our sins and rebellion and accept the beautiful gift of salvation found only in Jesus Christ.  His work on the cross alone paid the price for our sins, and set us free from it's power.  His resurrection brought us life and set us free from the power of death. 

As a Christian who desires to bear fruit, we must make it a point to keep short accounts with God.  What I mean by that is, if you know you've done something wrong, something against God's standards...turn to Him and admit your sin, ask for and receive His forgiveness and do it quickly...don't procrastinate.  Accept His cleansing and get back to working (through the power of the Holy Spirit) for the kingdom.  Sometimes we've been doing something a certain way so long that we don't recognize it as sin.  It's become a habit, and a hindrance.  When the Lord reveals a sin that has been entrenched in our lives for a long time, ridding ourselves of it may not come overnight, but it's our job to keep working with the Holy Spirit to eliminate it from our life. 

John 15:1-5  “I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. 3 You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you. 4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.  5 “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. 

Remaining in Jesus, keeping in close connection with God through prayer, study, Bible reading, worship, and thanksgiving, we become sensitive to His touch and leading.  When we fall short we can hear His voice calling us back to holiness.  Don't be afraid of this voice. Correction is hard to hear, and often it hurts to receive.   I'm so glad for the correction the Lord brought to me last week.  It was hard to hear, but I find so much joy in striving to live for Him, in leaving those sins behind and basking in His love and forgiveness. 

Lord, thank You that You so freely offer us the gift of forgiveness.  Whether it's for the first time or the thousandth time...Your heart is for us, Your forgiveness instant and Your love constant.  You are amazing.  I'm so grateful we need not wallow in our sin and guilt, but only come to You for cleansing and restoration.  What a beautiful Savior You are! 

Examine yourself today...confess where needed, receive the Father's forgiveness.