Lately in the church we hear a lot about the repentance. The Bible is filled with scriptural examples and many of us can testify to the power of repentance. But let’s be clear, the repentance is not a quick fix, resulting from a decision you make.
Word ” repentance ” means to change your mindset, but we all know that our thoughts can be changed by many things. This ‘change’ to which Jesus calls us is produced by God in the heart of man, when he identifies with the image of Christ!
Charles H. Spurgeon, the great 18th century preacher, said “that if we were to encounter our old nature, we would be eager to leave its company.” » This is the power of repentance.
Too often I am asked this question: “Why am I struggling when I have asked the Lord many times to change me? »
I think the answer is found in 2 Corinthians 7 where the Apostle Paul explains why he wrote his previous letter, which produced so much sadness in the church. It was Godly sadness that tore their hearts and opened the way for the Lord’s work of transformation in them.
The cry of the prophet Joel was for the people of Israel to tear their hearts and not their clothes! We’re not talking about a few tears and quiet times in church. It’s not “just raise your hands and everything will change.” No my friends, we are talking about heartbreak. A sincere brokenness before the Lord. This is what will open the door to His grace and allow His mighty hand to change our lives and set us free.
I realize that my responsibility is to keep my heart open and tender but it is the Lord’s role to work in me. It’s the real one repentance.
Judas went out and hanged himself because he was consumed by remorse and could not face the consequences of his actions. For him it was a sadness of self-pity – it produces nothing.
A hard and proud heart will never find the joy and peace found in a repentance sincere. I can apologize and beg for forgiveness every hour of every day, but nothing will happen until I am willing to simply acknowledge my need for His transformative work in my life. The prodigal son returned to his father and said, “Accept me as one of your workers.” He left his life in the hands of his father. This state of heart is ready for godly repentance.
With godly sadness, there are no regrets and no looking back. Shame is replaced by humility and guilt by brokenness. This heart seeks nothing, but in humility the door is wide open for His healing love and restoring presence.
source: teachme
