Matthew 3: 2Repent (think differently; change your mind, regretting your sins and changing your conduct), for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. (AMP)
When I was introduced to repentance at 13years old, I thought it was something I had to do every Sunday at church, in front of our congregation, while my pastor prayed over me rebuking what-ever it was inside of me that caused me to sin that week. I would stand, tears pouring down my face; convicted. Yet I didn't know, or understand what conviction actually was or meant. All I knew was that I would sneak out of my house or whatever friend's house that I was staying at that weekend, and I would smoke cigarettes and pot, kiss boys, and stay out all night doing "Lord knows what", and come Sunday, I would listen to my preacher holler about hell, damnation and the immense Love of Christ.
I knew I was in the right place because somehow, week after week, I made it to church. I knew this preacher man had some sort of authority, I just don't think I was mature enough to fully understand that repentance is vitally important to Christian life.
I thank God that I accepted Christ at that time, because I believe my youthful declaration that "Christ is Lord and he died and rose again" saved me in my adult life and why I was called back from the darkness that consumed while I was God's lost lamb.
With time and maturity I've come to realize, that for me, repentance means more as an open and honest dialog between God and I and not as a public display of remorseful emotions. I am not knocking open displays of remorse I'm just simply stating that I, personally feel repentance the most, when it's just between God and I. When I sit on my bed and get real with God.
While I never minded my church family seeing my sorrowful display, I didn't truly comprehend what I was doing because I kept sinning the same sin's over and over again for many more years to come. I didn't understand repentance and total surrender and that I was to be an obedient Christian turned away from sin. That lack of understanding is probably why I was lead astray into the new age movement for a little over 10 years by an endearing, yet false, prophet.
I know, living in this world that I will never be "sin free" until the day our Lord and Savior Jesus comes back (Colossians 3:2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.) yet, I still innately know, that when I go to the cross, where He died for me, and I admit my sins, and lay them down at that place; I become purified in His blood.
Whether it's as simple as a flare up of anger at someone cutting me off while driving or deeper anger, like the betrayal of a friend that let me down. It doesn't matter; what matters is that I am truly repentant and ask God to help me turn from that sin. Matthew 19:26 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” I don't have to do it alone, in fact I can't. Only He can, if I am willing because where I am weak - HE IS STRONG!
If I have lust of the eyes, or covetousness of my heart and I don't fess up to it, I stay separated from God. It's almost like it automatically blocks me from the blessings God has set up for me if I stayed in His presence and followed the path He has laid out for me. When I don't repent, it's like I have a cloak of pride covering me and that keeps me in the dark and I am saying to God; "I can handle it, I don't need your help, and I don't think I've done anything wrong." When deep down, I know that's a lie, furthering the repentance I need to make.
It could be that I had a bad day, and I lashed out at an unsuspecting co-worker, friend or family member. What EVER the sin is, great or small, when I repent of that sin, I am no longer in bondage from that sin and I am freed of it and able to walk in God's light and His will for my life. I am inviting Him to be apart of my life so as to walk in righteousness with our Holy Lord.
I've realized the sheer healing and reconciliation that repentance brings, so I try to get alone with God often. I tell Him how sorry I am for the things I do, out of disobedience or self-sufficient pride. I ask Him to help me see the sin's that I might not be aware of and I also list the things I am aware of. Usually by the time I am done listing them all -- I am weeping. To be so honest to God and to myself is a radically purifying experience. Then grace and forgiveness washes over me and I am once again in my Saviors loving presence.
Repent, then, and turn to God,
When I was introduced to repentance at 13years old, I thought it was something I had to do every Sunday at church, in front of our congregation, while my pastor prayed over me rebuking what-ever it was inside of me that caused me to sin that week. I would stand, tears pouring down my face; convicted. Yet I didn't know, or understand what conviction actually was or meant. All I knew was that I would sneak out of my house or whatever friend's house that I was staying at that weekend, and I would smoke cigarettes and pot, kiss boys, and stay out all night doing "Lord knows what", and come Sunday, I would listen to my preacher holler about hell, damnation and the immense Love of Christ.
I thank God that I accepted Christ at that time, because I believe my youthful declaration that "Christ is Lord and he died and rose again" saved me in my adult life and why I was called back from the darkness that consumed while I was God's lost lamb.
With time and maturity I've come to realize, that for me, repentance means more as an open and honest dialog between God and I and not as a public display of remorseful emotions. I am not knocking open displays of remorse I'm just simply stating that I, personally feel repentance the most, when it's just between God and I. When I sit on my bed and get real with God.
While I never minded my church family seeing my sorrowful display, I didn't truly comprehend what I was doing because I kept sinning the same sin's over and over again for many more years to come. I didn't understand repentance and total surrender and that I was to be an obedient Christian turned away from sin. That lack of understanding is probably why I was lead astray into the new age movement for a little over 10 years by an endearing, yet false, prophet.
Luke 5:31-32
Jesus answered them, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor,
but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."
I know, living in this world that I will never be "sin free" until the day our Lord and Savior Jesus comes back (Colossians 3:2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.) yet, I still innately know, that when I go to the cross, where He died for me, and I admit my sins, and lay them down at that place; I become purified in His blood.
Whether it's as simple as a flare up of anger at someone cutting me off while driving or deeper anger, like the betrayal of a friend that let me down. It doesn't matter; what matters is that I am truly repentant and ask God to help me turn from that sin. Matthew 19:26 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” I don't have to do it alone, in fact I can't. Only He can, if I am willing because where I am weak - HE IS STRONG!
If I have lust of the eyes, or covetousness of my heart and I don't fess up to it, I stay separated from God. It's almost like it automatically blocks me from the blessings God has set up for me if I stayed in His presence and followed the path He has laid out for me. When I don't repent, it's like I have a cloak of pride covering me and that keeps me in the dark and I am saying to God; "I can handle it, I don't need your help, and I don't think I've done anything wrong." When deep down, I know that's a lie, furthering the repentance I need to make.
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us
our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness”
1 John 1:9
I've realized the sheer healing and reconciliation that repentance brings, so I try to get alone with God often. I tell Him how sorry I am for the things I do, out of disobedience or self-sufficient pride. I ask Him to help me see the sin's that I might not be aware of and I also list the things I am aware of. Usually by the time I am done listing them all -- I am weeping. To be so honest to God and to myself is a radically purifying experience. Then grace and forgiveness washes over me and I am once again in my Saviors loving presence.
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
The whole point of repentance, is that Jesus died for us and for each sin we've ever committed. He gave His life, so that we may live. We are covered in Grace and Mercy under Him and His blood, and can be in God's presence, asking our Holy creator to forgive us. We are purified and sanctified in Christ Alone, part of that sanctification process is repentance. God already knows, so talk to Him, live your life in communion with Him, invite Him to help change your heart and turn from your sinful nature for God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. James 4:6
Holiest Lord of all creation, The Great I AM,
I come before you and ask that these words be met with the sincerity in which they are intended and that all people of every nation, sinners near and far, read these God inspired words and come to repentance. I pray that we sense always that we are separated from you and whoever reads these words will have the walls around their heart come down and that we all walk hand in hand to the Cross and lay down all that keeps us from surrendering to your great love. I pray these things in the mighty name of your Son, Jesus Christ.
Amen.
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