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Around the Church of God we may sometimes take the subject of repentance for granted, but it is of crucial importance. Modern day religion doesn't even really think of it, in the true definition. Repentance is a real turning, a definite break from sin, a real commitment to God, and a real brokenness of heart. Even after we have been saved, there will be things God shows us that we need to grow in or change: and with an earnest heart, we need to take care of it right away.
To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet came unto him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba. "Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest. Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me. Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice. Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee. Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness. O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise. For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise." Psalms 51:1-17 A sister in connection shared her thoughts - "As I read these scriptures, I could really feel David's repentant heart and attitude. Even though he had to face natural consequences, God was willing to forgive. Just having a good outward appearance will not please God, unless there is true repentance. After David repented, he showed a sincere desire to help others." The words David used were words that expressed how fully sincere his repentance was, - he was giving up 100%, very thorough, not trying to cover anything up. verse 13 - After repentance, we can then teach others the ways of the Lord. Note: in John 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto Nicodemus, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. - Because of modern religion's frequent false representations on scriptures, it is beneficial to get people to understand "why" they really need to listen, and that they likely do not understand true repentance. verse 6 - Salvation through Jesus brings forgiveness and His power to live without sin. Even from the Old Testament, repentance is not new, - it has been a requirement of God's, since the beginning of time. About 15 years ago, I was working with a man who had come from Romania. He told me that in his country "they" were called "The Repenters", because they had really repented. They were set apart from the commonly called "Christians." verse 10 - One who has really repented, will have a different spirit, a soberness about the wrong of sin. When someone begins to backslide in heart, you often see in them a lightness, and casualness about sin. We need to have that broken, contrite spirit always working in our lives. verse 14 - "deliver me from blood guiltiness" - There is a need for the Lord to deal with a person. The brokenness needed for real repentance, is not something that can be worked up on your own. There needs to be that real understanding of our guilt and remorse of crucifying Jesus (blood guiltiness). Nominal religion tries to ease that heaviness of blood guiltiness, rather than letting it work a full work of repentance. verse 15 - Religious people will try to sidetrack you by focusing attention on what they have done, or on what people think of them. All of us need to come to the point where it is realized, there is nothing anyone can do, to be worthy of God's forgiveness. We must fully acknowledge our sin, turn completely from it, and throw ourselves at the mercy of Jesus for forgiveness!
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