Repent
(see also grace)


Definition;
Feel deep sorrow about ones actions
Wish one had not done
Resolve not to continue
To turn away from

Repentance: change of mind, change of direction, turning around to face the opposite way.

Because we are of the human race, we are born into sin. Remember Adam and Eve? They were born sinless, but because of the eating of the fruit from the Tree of Good and Evil, sin entered the world – so that makes us sinners. Yep, that’s why we cannot help doing, saying and being bad at times.

Sin eats away at us quite happily – if we allow it to. You can say to me, “I’m not a sinner, I am a good, clean living person.” Ever cheated on your tax return? Ever taken something from the office? Ever had an unclean thought pass through your mind about that female/male working next to you?

Then to really let us know that we are sinners, God gave us the 10 Commandments to show us that we can never be perfect!

BUT, and this is a big BUT

When Jesus died on the Cross of Calvary for us, He broke the chains of legalistic religion and gave us freedom to live under His mercy and in His grace.

All He requires of us is that we repent and turn away from those things that we do that we know are wrong. You could say to me, “But I have tried and tried to stop doing that thing that I know is wrong, but I can’t!” That is the sin factor working in your life!
The grace and mercy factor says in 1 Corinthians 5;17 “IN CHRIST WE ARE NEW CREATIONS, OLD THINGS HAVE PASSED AWAY AND BEHOLD ALL THINGS HAVE BECOME AS NEW.”

And in John 1;29b we read….”THE LAMB OF GOD, WHO TAKES AWAY THE SIN OF THE WORLD!”

Revelation 1;5 AND FROM JESUS CHRIST, THE FAITHFUL WITNESS, THE FIRST BORN FROM THE DEAD, AND THE RULER OVER THE KINGS OF THE EARTH, TO HIM WHO LOVED US AND WASHED US FROM OUR SINS IN HIS OWN BLOOD.


Repentance means we first have to believe what Jesus did for us on the Cross, asking forgiveness for our sins, then walking in that forgiveness!
I am saved from my sins through God’s grace extended towards me! Ephesians 2:8 FOR BY GRACE YOU HAVE BEEN SAVED THROUGH FAITH, AND THAT NOT OF YOURSELVES, IT IS THE GIFT OF GOD.

Please understand there is a difference between repentance and remorse. We can be remorseful for something we have said or done, but not repentant!

A person could be remorseful for receiving a speeding ticket and they may be sorry they got caught, but not sorry enough and not repentant enough to stop speeding. The child with his hand in the biscuit barrel was sorry he got caught, but not repentant enough to have another go at a later date!

We can overcome if we want to by God’s grace and ‘grace’ means undeserved favour.

Prayer
Father I admit to you that I am a sinner. But I thank you that you sent Jesus, your only Son, to die for my sins and because of what He did, I can live with the sure knowledge and understanding that you forgive me of all that I have done. I want to turn away from those things that are not good in your eyes, and I repent of them. Please forgive me and help me to live my life according to your will and ways and I know I cannot do this without your help and strength in me. Thank you that your Word says that Your promises are new to me every day, and when I wake up each morning and commit each day to you, I ask that you would renew my mind and take the desire to sin away from me. Thank you for loving me, thank you Jesus for dying for me and making it possible for my sins to be removed. Help me to believe that and walk as a victor and not a victim. Amen