As defined in Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Dictionary, repentance is “a turning away from sin, disobedience, or rebellion and a turning back to God…In Jesus’ preaching of the kingdom of God (we) see the truth that repentance and faith are two sides of the same coin: by repentance, one turns away from sin; by faith, one turns toward God in accepting the Lord Jesus Christ…This type of repentance leads to a fundamental change in a person’s relationship to God.” (1077-8) “Awareness of God’s holiness leads to consciousness of our own sinfulness…By sinning we hurt ourselves and those closest to us; but first of all, and worst of all, sin is against God (Ps. 51:4).” When we repent, or confess our sins to God, He is faithful to His promise to forgive us and restore our relationship with Him—we get rid of interference in the connection.
Beth Moore’s words on repentance: “After you’ve spent several minutes in praise and worship, enter a time of confession and repentance. I teach this sequence because in Matthew 6:9, 12 Christ taught the disciples to “hallow” God’s name first, then ask for forgiveness for sin. However, I’ve experienced times when my heart was too full of sin and conviction to begin with praise. You probably have, too. Sometimes, based on Isaiah 59: 1,2, you may need to begin your prayer time with repentance rather than praise. The Isaiah passage indicates that, when we have rebelled against God, all He wants to hear is repentance. David’s prayer in Psalm 51 is an example. His life had been so full of sin, his prayer of repentance simply started with the words, “Have mercy upon me!” As you become increasingly sensitive to the Holy Spirit, you will discern times when your prayer life needs to begin with repentance rather than praise. Your heart will feel burdened with sin and anxious for relief. NO MATTER WHAT, practice a time of confession and repentance DAILY!! We gain victory over sin by allowing God to treat our problems in their earliest stages. Resist letting anything build up. Confess sins of the thought life such as wrong motives, negativism, a critical spirit, or even right words with a wrong heart. Let God catch things in early stages so we can be Spirit-filled people on a DAILY basis. Remember, the only thing whiter than snow is a freshly cleansed child of God! (Ps. 51:7)” Whispers of Hope page 6
Look up and read these passages:
Jeremiah 15:19 (Note: “serve” is literally “stand before”—an appropriate posture for an obedient servant—footnote in Archaeological Study Bible, 1218)
2 Corinthians 7:8-11, especially verse 10
Revelation 2:5
True repentance clears the air and removes obstructions that may be between me and God. Is there anything you began doing when you first came to know God’s saving love for us that you have since given up? Perhaps you were more grateful, more forgiving of others, more bold to share this newfound love with anyone you met. May we keep the space between us and God clear by reflecting daily on where we want to be and honestly asking God for forgiveness where we fall short. Grab that notebook or paper again, and take some time to praise God, then enter into your time of confession and repentance. God accepts us where we are, but longs to teach us and take us to a destination beyond our wildest dreams!
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