THE IMPORTANCE OF REPENTANCE AS WE STRIVE TOWARD DEEPER FAITH

9/2/2021

Repentance is one of those things that for a lot of Christians is a frustrating and cumbersome topic to wrap our heads and hearts around. It is that uncomfortable and sometimes discouraging feeling that “ Once again I have messed up in my walk with Jesus and have let sin pull me into its grasp.” “ I try so hard to not do the things that I know are wrong, and yet, the more I try, the more I fail.” I think all of us have experienced those moments and feelings. Fleshly desires, addictions, bad habits, impure thoughts, anger, pride, and all the things that have a way of making us feel disconnected from God….if even for a short time. The Apostle Paul felt it. In his letter to the Romans Paul decries the fact that he is often caught up in doing the exact things that he truly doesn’t want to do ! The weakness of our flesh is at war with the inner self where our spirit dwells with Godly desires. Just to make things even more difficult, Satan always seems to be watching and is quick to fill our minds with accusations and shame and guilt and feelings of failure. Through all of those challenging moments comes the most important choice we can make as Christians. “ Do I stay in sin, and just accept that it will always win the battle in a particular area or areas in my life,….or do I strive to Change My Desires and Heart and Repent ? Repenting, even if I have to do it over and over and over. So, just How Do We Repent, and What Does God Ask Of Us ?

THEREFORE I WILL JUDGE YOU, O HOUSE OF ISRAEL, EVERY ONE ACCORDING TO HIS WAYS, DECLARES THE LORD GOD. REPENT AND TURN FROM ALL YOUR TRANSGRESSIONS, LEST INIQUITY BE YOUR RUIN. CAST AWAY FROM YOU ALL THE TRANSGRESSIONS THAT YOU HAVE COMMITTED, AND MAKE FOR YOURSELF A NEW HEART AND A NEW SPIRIT ! WHY WILL YOU DIE, O HOUSE OF ISRAEL? FOR I HAVE NO PLEASURE IN THE DEATH OF ANYONE, DECLARES THE LORD GOD; SO TURN AND LIVE. Ezekiel 18:30-32

SEEK THE LORD WHILE HE MAY BE FOUND; CALL UPON HIM WHILE HE IS NEAR; LET THE WICKED FORSAKE HIS WAY, AND THE UNRIGHTEOUS MAN HIS THOUGHTS; LET HIM RETURN TO THE LORD, THAT HE MAY HAVE COMPASSION ON HIM, AND TO OUR GOD, FOR HE WILL ABUNDANTLY PARDON. Isaiah 55:6-7

FROM THAT TIME, JESUS BEGAN TO PREACH, SAYING, “REPENT, FOR THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IS AT HAND.” Matthew 4:17

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

AND PETER SAID TO THEM, “ 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

God asks us to REPENT ! God has asked mankind to REPENT from the very origin of sin entering the world. The key to Repentance is to TURN ! I believe that turning has two distinct movements:) TURN AWAY FROM YOUR SIN. Change your habits and desire and realize you may be turning away quite often. Perhaps again and again ! Each and every time you turn away, confess and acknowledge your sin, and ask God to help you overcome it. Only through His Grace and Love can we move forward to a new and changed heart. More importantly, TURN TOWARD GOD ! Run to Him. Cry Out For Help. Never let yourself be separated from His Mercy and Forgiveness. HE IS OUR FATHER. He loves us and always wants us to SEEK HIM. Satan and the world will tell you that you are a hopeless failure. You will never be able to please God, and you will never be good enough to belong in His Kingdom. THOSE VOICES ARE LIES. God’s Kingdom is full of sinners that have become SAINTS through the Love and Grace of Jesus Christ.

I HAVE NOT COME TO CALL THE RIGHTEOUS BUT SINNERS TO REPENTANCE. Luke 5:32

JUST SO, I TELL YOU, THERE WILL BE MORE JOY IN HEAVEN OVER ONE SINNER WHO REPENTS THAN OVER NINETY NINE RIGHTEOUS PERSONS WHO NEED NO REPENTANCE. Luke 15:7

THOSE WHOM I LOVE , I REPROVE AND DISCIPLINE, SO BE ZEALOUS AND REPENT. Revelation 3:19

Jesus came to save US. YOU AND ME. He took on all our sin, all our failure, all our weakness and all the things we do that keep us apart from God The Father. Understand His Sacrifice ! If you recognize Him as your Savior, Lord, and King, then Strive to Walk As He Would Have You Walk. Grow Deeper In You Faith ! Trust Him. He is asking you to REPENT. It isn’t thrown out as a suggestion or a plea if you feel like it. Repentance is the KEY to a restored relationship with God, because you TURN TOWARDS HIM and AWAY FROM SIN. He becomes your hope, your strength, your peace and your rest. Once you understand that HE IS ALWAYS WITH YOU, your faith and trust in Him will become YOUR ROCK ! Many many churches are truly missing the mark on this. Jesus didn’t come to offer you a free ticket to get saved and keep sinning. HE CAME TO SEE YOU DIE TO YOUR OLD SELF AND BE REBORN. A NEW CREATION :) A man or woman that seeks the Righteousness and Holiness that comes through the fire of Repentance and Deep FAITH. Embrace the absolute Mercy of being washed clean in the Blood Of Christ ! Proclaim it ! Feel It ! LIVE IT :) REPENT AND LIVE/JAA

REMEMBER THEREFORE FROM WHERE YOU HAVE FALLEN; REPENT, AND DO THE WORKS YOU DID AT FIRST. IF NOT, I WILL COME TO YOU AND REMOVE YOUR LAMPSTAND FROM ITS PLACE, UNLESS YOU REPENT. Revelation 2:5

AND SAYING. “THE TIME IS FULFILLED, AND THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS AT HAND; REPENT AND BELIEVE IN THE GOSPEL. Mark 1:5