Repentance - part two
REPENTANCE
We understand that there is sin – being in the wrong – and that there is no way to get straight with God except by believing that because of Jesus’ life, sacrificial death and resurrection we can be forgiven. Wonderful, good news indeed. But it is more, much more than simply wiping the slate clean – for a day or a week. What we need is full salvation – a transformation in our lives that helps us grow into the people God meant us to be. This takes power, supernatural power released in the spiritual realms, released by God into our lives. So how do we get the power to break behaviour patterns, these strongholds?
- Power to transform is released at the cross
- Therefore we need to get to the cross
- The pathway to the cross is repentance
- Repentance needs to be a posture of our heart
Last week I talked about how we all need to repent but that it is more than just saying sorry – although that is part of it.
Repentance is a verb, an action word, which means, to change.
I am walking in that direction, a direction that represents a sinful behaviour, suddenly I realise what I am doing, conviction. That’s good but it not repentance if nothing has changed. I am still walking in that direction. I may feel really sorry about the direction I am taking but that isn’t a change yet either. I may promise to stop walking in that direction. Good, but until I do that isn’t much of a change either.
Repentance happens when I confess, say sorry, decide and promise to change, stop, turn around and walk in the opposite direction.
Last week I went into this in some detail with several examples of what this may look like.
This week let’s have a quick look at Paul’s injunction to do the same:
o Ephesians 4:25-32
o Falsehood v.25
o Anger v26
o Stealing v28
o Talk v29
o General v31-32
What is repentance?
o It isn’t a feeling – you don’t feel repentant as opposed to unrepentant.
o Conviction – you may come to a realisation that what you are doing is wrong but that is not full repentance either.
o Sorry or remorseful – you may well wish you had not done something because you got caught but that is not full repentance either.
o Making a promise – you may decide never to do it again, and say so. But although needed for repentance to happen that isn’t full repentance either.
o Repentance is a verb, an action word, which means, to change.
My conclusion last week is that we should adopt postures of repentance.
A posture of repentance
What can we do to take up a posture of repentance?
Return to Jesus every day
Mark 6:7-13, 30 – the disciples return to Jesus to check themselves out. We need to do the same. How am I doing Lord? This happened today, I am sorry and I can’t seem to control it. Please forgive me etc. Keep on a short rein.
Humility
James 4:6 – humility allows us to forgive and ask for forgive which is the key component of repentance and the releasing of power to break strongholds. Cf: Lk 18:10-13 (tax collector’s prayer).
Submission
James 4:7 – positioning ourselves beneath God and his authority. A submissive heart acknowledging true status.
Aggressive, authoritative resistance
James 4:7 – Speaking and acting against the lies of the enemy. We are given the responsibility of being resistance fighters. So when we see something wrong we are to speak the truth – with force. E.g. dog attacking child. No one loves me, I am worthless, I am too bad. There is a spiritual transaction taking place = confession of faith & salvation.
Evidence of a repentant life
What does it look like when you see someone who has a repentant posture?
A humble, submissive character
Someone who is able to understand the love of the father well enough to operate gratefully and comfortably in a position of humility and submission to the King of the Universe.
Power over sin in your life
Someone who is making progress as they learn to follow Jesus in coming to grips with sin and wrongdoing. What the bible calls sanctification – becoming more like Jesus every day. Not just saying sorry a lot but allowing the power of God into their lives to deal with deep seated pain and hurt out of which sinful behaviour emerges.
Repentance is not led by feelings
It is a natural and disciplined part of our walk. We don’t just get on our knees when the emotion overtakes us but as we daily take a good look at how we are doing and run to the cross to know the power of forgiveness and transformation.
How do you look at repentance?
Do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience not realising that God’s kindness leads you toward repentance?
Romans 2:4
Repentance is not the preacher pointing his judgemental finger at you.
Repentance is a wonderful gift.
Repentance is a free offer of transformation.
To repent is not a sign of weakness, accept it, we are all there – wake up, smell the coffee. To repent is a sign of wisdom, an acceptance of God’s kindness to forgive and transform our lives.
David Flowers, 04/01/2008