(An evidence of genuine conversion)
INTRODUCTION:
After a genuine salvation encounter with the Saviour Jesus Christ, every child of God is expected to start bearing fruit immediately by his or her life. The new creation life in Christ is a complete lifestyle on its own. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the spirit is spirit. The outward manifestation of life in the spirit is quite different from that of the life in the flesh. As soon as the new birth takes place, the old life (life in the flesh) is terminated and the new life begins. And by their fruits, you shall know them (Matt. 7:16)
One of the first fruit of the new life is the fruit of repentance. The scripture says in Matt. 3:8: “ Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance.” (KJV)
“Do those things that will show that you have turned from your sins” (GNB).
We shall therefore look into what it means to repent, what to repent from, God’s response to a repented soul, the danger of refusing to repent from certain deeds. May God grant you understanding in Jesus’ name, Amen.
A. What does ‘repentance’ mean?
1. Dictionary meaning: Repentance means to think with regret or sorrow over something that one has done.
2. Biblical meaning: Prov. 28:13, Matt. 3:5-8, 2 Cor. 7: 10
To repent means to confess your sins and to forsake (turn from) them as a result of sorrow over those sins. Not only that, it also involves bearing fruits that will show that you have repented. To confess your sins and stop sinning is not enough because then you will be left in a vacuum. Having stopped sinning (i.e. having forsaken your sins), you must start doing something else: bearing fruits worthy of repentance.
So there are three actions that make up repentance: Confession of your sins, forsaking your sins and bearing of fruits to show that you have turned from your sins.
Let us now look at what it means to repent, in a little more detail.
i. As sin starts from the heart, repentance from sin starts from the heart also. It involves deep thought of sorrow or mourning over one’s sins. Matt. 15: 18-20, Matt. 5:4, 2 Cor. 7:10, 1 Kg. 21: 20-29.
It is in the heart that sin is conceived ever before it is born. Of necessity therefore must the heart be touched before there can be sincere sorrow leading to repentance. That is what gives rise to inner resolution and motivation to confess and forsake such sins. Where the heart is not touched, repentance is not genuine. There may be confession of sins with the mouth but there will be no forsaking of such sins. Is your repentance genuine? Are you sincere?
ii. Opportunity for repentance comes because of God’s goodness and mercy. However not everybody has such privilege. Rom. 2:4, 2 Pet. 3:9, Heb. 12: 16:17
Ever before anyone makes a move to repent and turn to Christ, God is at work to make it possible. He provides the opportunity, removes the veil and gives understanding about what Christ did for us at Calvary and is ever present to give courage to the sinner to take a step of faith to repent. In His mercy, He also sends preachers to call people to repentance. He is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. But that opportunity will not be forever. It has a time limit though that limit be unknown. Esau sold his birthright for a spoon of pottage. But the result and reality of that action did not take place on that day until some time later when the father was about to die and he requested for Esau to come and take the blessings. The time between the day he committed the sin and the day he actually missed the blessing of his father is a period of privilege for repentance. But since he did not repent during that period of grace, he lost his inheritance even though thereafter he sought it diligently with tears. Many end their lives in sin having not made use of the opportunity and grace given them by God to repent. This may be your own opportunity. May you not procrastinate in Jesus’ name.
iii. It is the first step to take to reconcile with God. Isa. 59: 12, Matt. 4: 17, Lk. 13: 1-5, 2 Tim 2: 19.
What separates a man from God is his sin. It is the only quarrel that man has with God from the beginning of creation. It becomes necessary therefore for each one to repent from his sins and sinful ways and turn to God in order for his fellowship with God to be restored. Do you desire your link with God to be restored so that God will be for you and not against you? The first thing to do is to repent.
iv. It involves confession (with the mouth). Prov. 28: 13, Mt. 3: 5-8, Rom. 10: 9-10, Mt.9: 12
Even though you sincerely feel sorry from your heart for your sins, confession with your mouth to the one against whom you have sinned is necessary to evoke forgiveness. It includes:
I. Confession to God. Ps. 32: 3-5, 1 Jn. 1:9, Lk. 18:13, Phil. 2: 10-11, Rom. 10:9
Primarily, it is against God that we have sinned and unto him we must confess our sins and ask for forgiveness. Recognizing Jesus Christ as your Lord, you must also make that confession to God.
ii. Confession to man (if need be). Jas. 5: 16, Lk. 15: 18, Mt. 5: 23-24, Mk. 8: 38, Lk. 19: 5-10. |
Where necessary especially where a fellow human being is injured (physically or spiritually), or offended as a result of your sins, genuine repentance involves confession of such sins not only to God but also to such person(s).
God may forgive but if man holds a grudge against you, your prayer will be hindered. It may also involve restitution as in the case of Zacchaeus. It was only after that decision to restore what he got fraudulently, that salvation came to him and to his house.
It is also necessary to confess your faith in Christ and His Lordship over your life before men. All shame must be thrown away.
iii. it may involve weeping and fasting. Joel 2: 12-14, Jonah 3: 4-10, Lk. 7: 37-38. Anything that touches the heart of a man touches his emotions. God is not embarrassed by your emotions as you come to Him in repentance. It may also involve fasting.
Repentance is only complete when:
1. Sin and sinful habits are completely forsaken. Prov. 28:13, Isa. 55:7, Jn. 5:14, Tit. 2: 11-12.
If you are sincerely sorry for your sins, then you should stop sinning. Grace (divine or supernatural ability) to say “no” to sin comes at the point of salvation. You are free to stop sinning now.
2. Fruits, which show repentance, are brought forth. Mt. 3:5-8, Mt. 21: 28-29, Lk. 3: 7-14, Eph. 4: 28-32.
The grace of God that brings salvation comes along not only with the ability to say ‘no’ to sin but also the ability to say ‘yes’ to godliness and right living. If you have truly repented, you will not only stop sinning but start living God’s way in obedience to His word. That is what will show that you have truly repented.
Therefore repentance involves a genuine heart felt sorrow over your sins and sinful habits, confession of such sins with your mouth unto God and where necessary, unto man. It may sometimes be so deep that it involves weeping and fasting because of sin, not because these can take away sin but because of sorrow of heart. And repentance is not complete until sin is forsaken and deeds that will show that you have turned from your sins are done. Repentance comes from the heart but manifests through our actions. Can you truly say you have repented? What is the evidence?
B. Dead works to be repented of: 2 Cor. 7:1, Gal. 5: 19-21
As soon as we become born again, God’s plan is to dwell in us and walk among us. His promise is to become a Father unto every such person and have an intimate family relationship with him. But because God our Father is holy we have to be holy, not by personal struggles, but by the grace made available to us in Christ Jesus. Repentance is the first step in restoring and maintaining a sweet relationship with the Lord. Every sin and filthiness of the flesh and spirit must be repented of with all sincerity. These include dead works and sins of the flesh that destroy the body (2 Cor. 6: 16-17, 1 Cor. 6: 18-20) e.g. sexual immorality, smoking, friendship with unbelievers, alcoholism, etc. Don’t waste time in turning away from them.
1. Thoughts. Acts. 8: 18-22, Isa. 55: 6-7, Mt. 5: 27-28, Mt. 15:19
There are certain sins that end up not in visible action but in our thoughts, yet God regards them as sins of no less gravity and consequence than those committed physically. They are dead works and you must repent of them. Wrong thoughts about others, lustful thoughts, impure and immoral thoughts, evil thoughts of all kinds which often result in evil deeds are all sinful and are capable of separating you from God. Pause here. What are the sins that take place in your thoughts? Dig into all the recesses of your heart and repent of them all with a sincere heart. You shall surely obtain mercy.
2. Words Mt. 15: 18-20, Mt. 12: 36-37.
Lying, gossiping, talkativeness, idle words, abusive words, cursing, etc. are examples of sins committed through words. By your words you shall be condemned and by your words you shall be justified. Are you guilty of sinful speech? It is powerfully capable of sending you to hell. Confess and forsake them with all sincerity. The Lord will have mercy and grant you deliverance from such sins.
3. Deeds Isa. 55: 6-7, Gal. 5: 19-21, Rom. 1: 29-32, Col.3: 9-9, Mt. 5: 23-24, Mt. 6: 14-15.
The list is endless. This is just a list. What are the wrong deeds you are personally involved in? You know them. Anyone who does such things cannot inherit the kingdom of God. Repent. Whosoever covers his sins shall not prosper, but whosoever confesses and forsakes them shall obtain mercy.
Memory verse: Prov. 28:13: He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whosoever confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.
C. God’s Response to genuine repentance.
1. God forgives and cleanses. 1 Jn. 1:9, Heb. 9: 14, Isa. 1:18
2. Repentance turns away God’s wrath. Jonah 3: 4-10, Rev. 2:5, 16.
3. It brings deliverance (salvation) from God. 2 Cor. 7: 10-11,Jas.5:16
4. It brings much joy, refreshing and blessing. Acts 2:38, 41-47, Mt. 5: 4, Acts 8: 48, Rom. 4: 7.
D. Dangers of refusing to repent from certain dead works.
1. It results in separation from God and God’s presence. Isa. 99: 1-2, Rev. 2: 5, Rev. 21: 8, Gen. 3: 1-9.
Sin creates a separation, a barrier between God and us. As soon as you sin whether in thoughts, words, deeds or whatever level, it cuts you off from God’s presence automatically. Even if God goes ahead to look for you, sin would push you farther and farther away from appearing before God as it happened to Adam and his wife in the garden. As they covered themselves and their sin of disobedience; it pushed them away from God’s presence and eventually out of God’s garden, God’s protection and out of God’s purpose for their lives. To repent costs you nothing but your pride. But to cover your sins will cost you your eternity. Please Repent
2. It attracts God’s wrath. Rom. 1:18, Lk. 13: 1-5, Rev. 2: 16. Sin attracts God’s wrath to the sinner. Each day God sees you in sin, His wrath is aroused and may be released against you anytime unless you repent. It can come in various ways and with various calamities. It does not profit to continue in sin. May you not harden your heart in the name of Jesus.
3. It opens the door for Satan to attack. Eccl. 10: 8, Jas. 5: 16, Jn. 5: 14. As mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds His people (Ps. 125:2). But sin breaks down the wall of protection and snakes (demons) get access to attack the sinner. You cannot tell the extent of the damage that the devil will do at any singular opportunity. Repent from all sin and turn to Christ. He is waiting in mercy to receive you.
CONCLUSION:
It was sin that brought a quarrel and separation between God and man. Jesus came and died on the cross, shedding His precious blood for us in order to pay the price and settle the quarrel. But it is by an honest and conscious repentance from sin that the reconciliation becomes a reality in our lives.
Repentance is the first step to take in order to remove the barrier between God and us. You may receive healings, miracles, divine solution to problems but all these are acts of God’s goodness. They do not remove quarrel of sin between your soul and the Saviour. Search your heart and repent from every dead work. Enthrone the Lord in your heart. You will find deep joy and sweet communion with the Lord. God bless you.
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