Featured Article
Repentance
by Keith A. Paul
Why Repentance is Important:
Repentance is a critically important aspect of being reconciled to God, yet it is often down played in many Christian circles. There is a great compromise occurring within Christianity today. We see denominations from a wide spectrum of theological persuasions endorsing all manner of human sin. For example, sexual immorality as defined in the scriptures has become common place in the life of those professing to be Christian. There is also a general trend in many nations that is promoted by those that are living in sexually immoral life styles. This trend is for these people to pressure churches into accepting their immorality and attempt to completely bypass repentance. This trend erodes Christ like values and brings God's anger upon the rebellious. Whereas God calls Believers to come out from among them and be separate and holy even as He is Holy. (1 Peter 1: 14, 15)
The message of repentance is seldom heard, but we need to return to this Truth to see the next move of God. Repentance remains a clear mandate presented in the scriptures. In this article, you will read about this important path that will lead you into deeper relationship with God. Repentance is the key to restoring or entering into right relationship with God. God seeks for those that will repent and honors all that do.
Let me make some scriptural definitions :
Repentance means turning away from sin. Sin is the activities either inward or outward that violate God's standard of holiness. We all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God and so every one that comes to God must repent of their sin and sinfulness. Repentance also involves surrendering the inner natural fallen nature over to the transforming Presence of Christ. The Holy Spirit has been sent into the earth to convict men of sin and unrighteousness. See the scriptural reference as follows: (conviction of sin, righteousness and judgment)
John 16:7 Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.
John 16:8 And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment:
John 16:9 concerning sin, because they do not believe in me;
John 16:10 concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer;
John 16:11 concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.
Repentance is an integral part of the gospel message and leads to Sonship. If you are praying for unsaved loved ones or friends, then pray and call forth God sent conviction upon them, for this is the work of the Holy Spirit to lead them back to God. This conviction leads to repentance. Conviction and repentance are vitally linked together and both are gifts from the Spirit of the Lord. Repentance, of course involves the human choice to turn away from sin and surrender to God but there is grace from God that calls and enables a person to do that. Both conviction and repentance therefore represent gifts of God's grace. The gift of repentance can be imparted through the Holy Spirit by anyone yielded to Him. This is possible because it is the Spirit of God who lives in and through those that walk with Him. Just as any other gift of the Spirit can be imparted, so the Holy Spirit can release the gift of repentance to others, including communities. Holy Spirit lead preaching, praying, testifying, signs and wonders; all of these can impart both conviction and repentance to and within others. So if you are yielded to the Spirit then He will perform this work through you.
His Word clearly speaks of the necessity of turning away from sin in the following scriptures:
Mat 4:17 From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, 'Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.;
Act 17:30 The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent,
Luke 13:3 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.
2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.
2 Peter 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed.
2 Peter 3:11 Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness,
Luke 15:7 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.
God has established and communicated with us in His Word that all who come to Him must repent of their sins. It is what He demands. Doing so reconciles a repentant person with God.
There is another very important reason why repentance is necessary. This lies in the area of spiritual bondage. Jesus came to give all who come to Him in faith, an abundant life. This abundant life includes a life of freedom from bondage, oppression and torment but that is entirely dependant on whether they are in right relationship with Him. Repentance assures that right relationship. Those that host sin in their lives, also host the devil. The devil uses sin as a weapon or legal claim to oppress those who continue in their sin. Sonship and right relationship with God must include repentance; for repentance closes the door to the curses the devil can heap upon those walking in sinful compromise.
In conclusion:
Repentance is important because:
If you are living a sexually immoral life then you need to repent. Sex is a gift from God and is only to be engaged in within the marriage of a man and woman. This is what God has ordained without exception. You must also repent of All your sin, including every philosophy, or religion that denies that Christ Jesus is the only way to God. There are not many ways to God. There is only one Name through which man can be saved. That Name is the Lord Jesus Christ.
(Act 4:11 This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone.
Act 4:12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.)
Every philosophy, doctrine or teaching that is not aligned with His Truth is deception. You can not evolve into a Son or Daughter of God without faith in Jesus as Lord, nor can you earn through your own merits your salvation. Repent of these deceptions and return humbly to the Lord Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God and Redeemer.
Here is a short list of what God sees as sins:
Galatians 5:19 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality,
Galatians 5:20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions,
Galatians 5:21 envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Repentance is a God given opportunity to enter into the blessings of the Lord and escape from the oppression of the enemy. Sincerely ask the Holy Spirit to expose areas of sin to you and then repent (turn away from) of them. May you become the vessel of God that He intended and do great exploits for Him.
Repentance is a critically important aspect of being reconciled to God, yet it is often down played in many Christian circles. There is a great compromise occurring within Christianity today. We see denominations from a wide spectrum of theological persuasions endorsing all manner of human sin. For example, sexual immorality as defined in the scriptures has become common place in the life of those professing to be Christian. There is also a general trend in many nations that is promoted by those that are living in sexually immoral life styles. This trend is for these people to pressure churches into accepting their immorality and attempt to completely bypass repentance. This trend erodes Christ like values and brings God's anger upon the rebellious. Whereas God calls Believers to come out from among them and be separate and holy even as He is Holy. (1 Peter 1: 14, 15)
The message of repentance is seldom heard, but we need to return to this Truth to see the next move of God. Repentance remains a clear mandate presented in the scriptures. In this article, you will read about this important path that will lead you into deeper relationship with God. Repentance is the key to restoring or entering into right relationship with God. God seeks for those that will repent and honors all that do.
Let me make some scriptural definitions :
Repentance means turning away from sin. Sin is the activities either inward or outward that violate God's standard of holiness. We all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God and so every one that comes to God must repent of their sin and sinfulness. Repentance also involves surrendering the inner natural fallen nature over to the transforming Presence of Christ. The Holy Spirit has been sent into the earth to convict men of sin and unrighteousness. See the scriptural reference as follows: (conviction of sin, righteousness and judgment)
John 16:7 Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.
John 16:8 And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment:
John 16:9 concerning sin, because they do not believe in me;
John 16:10 concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer;
John 16:11 concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.
Repentance is an integral part of the gospel message and leads to Sonship. If you are praying for unsaved loved ones or friends, then pray and call forth God sent conviction upon them, for this is the work of the Holy Spirit to lead them back to God. This conviction leads to repentance. Conviction and repentance are vitally linked together and both are gifts from the Spirit of the Lord. Repentance, of course involves the human choice to turn away from sin and surrender to God but there is grace from God that calls and enables a person to do that. Both conviction and repentance therefore represent gifts of God's grace. The gift of repentance can be imparted through the Holy Spirit by anyone yielded to Him. This is possible because it is the Spirit of God who lives in and through those that walk with Him. Just as any other gift of the Spirit can be imparted, so the Holy Spirit can release the gift of repentance to others, including communities. Holy Spirit lead preaching, praying, testifying, signs and wonders; all of these can impart both conviction and repentance to and within others. So if you are yielded to the Spirit then He will perform this work through you.
His Word clearly speaks of the necessity of turning away from sin in the following scriptures:
Mat 4:17 From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, 'Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.;
Act 17:30 The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent,
Luke 13:3 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.
2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.
2 Peter 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed.
2 Peter 3:11 Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness,
Luke 15:7 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.
God has established and communicated with us in His Word that all who come to Him must repent of their sins. It is what He demands. Doing so reconciles a repentant person with God.
There is another very important reason why repentance is necessary. This lies in the area of spiritual bondage. Jesus came to give all who come to Him in faith, an abundant life. This abundant life includes a life of freedom from bondage, oppression and torment but that is entirely dependant on whether they are in right relationship with Him. Repentance assures that right relationship. Those that host sin in their lives, also host the devil. The devil uses sin as a weapon or legal claim to oppress those who continue in their sin. Sonship and right relationship with God must include repentance; for repentance closes the door to the curses the devil can heap upon those walking in sinful compromise.
In conclusion:
Repentance is important because:
- God Demands it.
- Repentance reconciles a sinner to God. If anyone calls upon the Name of the Lord, he shall be saved. Repentance is part of that man to God exchange.
- Repentance delivers one out of the bondage of the devil.
If you are living a sexually immoral life then you need to repent. Sex is a gift from God and is only to be engaged in within the marriage of a man and woman. This is what God has ordained without exception. You must also repent of All your sin, including every philosophy, or religion that denies that Christ Jesus is the only way to God. There are not many ways to God. There is only one Name through which man can be saved. That Name is the Lord Jesus Christ.
(Act 4:11 This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone.
Act 4:12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.)
Every philosophy, doctrine or teaching that is not aligned with His Truth is deception. You can not evolve into a Son or Daughter of God without faith in Jesus as Lord, nor can you earn through your own merits your salvation. Repent of these deceptions and return humbly to the Lord Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God and Redeemer.
Here is a short list of what God sees as sins:
Galatians 5:19 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality,
Galatians 5:20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions,
Galatians 5:21 envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Repentance is a God given opportunity to enter into the blessings of the Lord and escape from the oppression of the enemy. Sincerely ask the Holy Spirit to expose areas of sin to you and then repent (turn away from) of them. May you become the vessel of God that He intended and do great exploits for Him.
Blessings..Keith and LaQueta Paul
