I am a big fan of repentance, but repentance may not be what you think it is. Repentance is not about wearing the proverbial sack cloth and ashes. Repentance is faith in action. It’s changing your unbelieving mind and turning to God. There may be remorse involved, but often there won’t be. Most of the time we repent because we’ve had a revelation of God’s kindness (Romans 2:4). Most of the time we repent with joy and laughter. I’m also a big fan of confession, but confession may not be what you think it is either. Confession is not reviewing your sins in the vain hope you can convince God to forgive you. (He already did!) Biblical confession is agreeing with God. It’s renewing your mind and saying, “Thank you Father for grace. Thank you for Jesus. Thank you that everything I need for life and godliness comes through knowing him” (see 2 Peter 1:3). And turning from sin? That’s a misplaced emphasis. The issue is not what you are turning from but who you are turning to. The Pharisees turned from sin every day, yet they never turned to Jesus. Turning from sin doesn’t make you righteous, just religious. But any time you turn to Jesus, you will automatically turn from sin. It’s inevitable.
Posted on: Tue, 14 Oct 2014 12:01:02 +0000