Repentance

By Phil, the learner

 

Repentance is not just being sorry about something.   Being really sorry or even remorseful about something is not repentance alone, although it will accompany it. An alcoholic may be sorry he went on another binge and really sorry about another hangover. An abusive husband may be not only sorry but down right remorseful about beating his wife, but two weeks later he beats her again. Nothing has changed. 

Too many people, may I say too many church folks, have learned the lingo, “grace”’ “forgiveness”, and our key word “repentance” and through it around like a cheap rubber ball.  Perhaps “grace” is the most misused, but they all are, including repentance. 

Some people, especially Catholics try to insert things like extra works and penance to assuage their sin. Only the blood of Jesus can do this. Repentance is a total mind change toward sin. You are walking by your rules, the rules of the world, perhaps by no rules, but when you repent everything is different. You hate sin! You decided not to sin and when you do commit sin you fall on your face and ask forgiveness.

2 COR. 5:17 KJV states:Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold all things are become new”.

We have a different way of thinking or rather we choose to have a different way of thinking. We by His grace are given the ability to live a Christ-centered life and it’s only by His grace. I have a different way of thinking. I had the innate ability not to just be critical, but down right cynical. I made it an art to tear the brethren apart. Over the past months I have by God’s grace become more loving, but the closer I get to the Lord the more I realize how much I must depend on Him and I need to draw closer every day.

Yes, I have repented but I have also made repentance an art. It is something I now walk in. Repentance is the only thing that will save our nation. If our nation would only repent and turn to the God who is ruler of the universe then we would survive –BUT WE WILL NOT!

2 Chronicles 7:14 (King James Version)“If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”

America will you turn to God before the door is closed like it was closed to the ark before the days of judgment!

I praise God He gave me grace to repent and I pray I will never, ever take His grace for granted for His grace was bought with a price and that price was the cruel death of His Son on a tree on Mt. Calvary.  Oh, God I pray I will never take His grace lightly.

 

Note: This is my second letter to you and I will only use my first name which is Phil. If I were to give myself a last name is would be Learner, because I am just that a learner and I have so much to learn. I am at the bottom of the pile, I am only a beginner.  

Thank you for posting my attempt at writing an article. God bless you and anyone who reads this.

 

In Christ,

 

Phil