Repentance: The Big Turnaround“…Repent and turn from all your transgressions, lest iniquity be your ruin. Cast away from you all the transgressions that you have committed, and make yourselves a new heart and a new spirit....” Ezekiel 18:30b,31
The phrase, “Seeking Him,” tells us that though revival begins with the Spirit’s call, it demands a response from the one being called.
As we are called, we are commanded to humble ourselves, we are compelled to get honest with God and others, and we are then convicted to repent of our sin against a Holy God.
Repentance is not just a simple, “I’m sorry,” or an emotional response filled with words of regret. I remember as a child being told I was going to be spanked, which then brought on the repeated cry, “I’m sorry! I’m sorry! I’m sorry!” I would do anything to avoid that spanking. But these were words with no thought or intention.
Hebrews 12 tells us that Esau, after selling his birthright and then being cheated, begs for the blessing. But he was denied, “For he found no chance to repent, though he sought it with tears.” (v17) Tears weren’t enough. Begging wasn’t enough. What does it mean to repent?
Becoming a Christian involves repentance—turning away from sin, my old way of life, and turning to Christ for salvation. But as a child of God, we still have that sinful nature and therefore must repent as we are shown our sin.
“For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Against You, You only, have I sinned and done what is evil in Your sight…” vs 3,4a
“Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out.” Acts 3:19
“When I think on my ways, I turn my feet to Your testimonies.” Psalm 119:59
It is imperative that we do not put off repentance. Just as God says in II Corinthians 6:2, now is the day of salvation, so it is true that now is the moment of repentance for all who have sinned.
What happens if we fail to repent when convicted? The Bible warns us in Hebrews 12, “See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no ‘root of bitterness’ springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled.” v15
Waiting causes a heart to become hard. Waiting may result in deeply rooted bitterness, and this affects others.
Now is the time to repent—to turn from our sin, face our gracious Savior, and walk in obedience to His Word. “Turn us back to You, O LORD, and we will be restored; Renew our days as of old.” Lamentations 5:21
Repentance is not just a once and done kind of thing. It's not only at the point of salvation that we need to repent. Repentance is, at the lease, a daily activity in the life of a Christian. Sometimes, it may even be a moment-by-moment activity. How will you seek Him this week?
You are invited to the Inlinkz link party! Click here to enterFull Assurance—Finding Settled Peace With God
"In penning the pages of this book, I have but one outstanding object before me—to make as plain as possible just how any troubled soul may find settled peace with God. I am thinking particularly of those people who believe the Holy Scriptures to be divinely inspired and who recognize that salvation is only to be found in Christ, but someway have missed the peace of a perfect trust and though earnestly desiring to know the Lord, are floundering in perplexity of mind. Full Assurance!
Full Assurance forever! Is it not a wonderfully pleasing expression? Assurance not for a few days, or weeks, or months—nor yet for a few years, or even a lifetime—but forever! It is this blessed assurance that God delights to impart to all who come to Him as needy sinners seeking the way of life."—Harry Ironside
20 Comments
6/22/2021 09:16:45 am
I appreciate all the points you made about repentance. For many years I wrestled with assurance of salvation, and one question was whether I repented "right" or "enough." I read H. A. Ironside's book, Full Assurance, and it was so helpful when he made that point that we'll continue repenting until we go to heaven.
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6/23/2021 09:27:19 am
Barbara, thank you so much for mentioning the book "Full Assurance" by Dr. Ironside! I know that this book and his writings have been a tremendous help to those struggling with their faith (or seemingly lack of it) in Jesus Christ. I've added a link to the book in the post above in case anyone is interested. And, YES! We WILL continue repenting until we get to Heaven!
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6/22/2021 10:57:40 am
It's so easy to confuse worldly sorrow with godly sorrow and true repentance, isn't it! I love these explanations. Thanks for sharing and hosting.
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6/23/2021 09:28:44 am
Julie does a great job of laying it out there for us and explaining the difference as well as our need for TRUE repentance, doesn't she, Donna!?
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6/22/2021 11:48:29 am
I wonder if we over spiritualize the idea of repentance, when it's simply a turning point, a turning around, and a turning away from our old and sinful ways.
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6/23/2021 09:30:04 am
I love that, Michele! —> Repentance "...it's simply a turning point, a turning around, and a turning away from our old and sinful ways." GRACE!
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6/22/2021 01:01:51 pm
Good point you made: waiting to repent can cause our hearts to be hardened.
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6/23/2021 09:32:33 am
It's so true, Jerralea! I (and you as well most likely) know people who think they can wait until a death-bed confession to repent. That may or may not happen. They may or may not have that opportunity. But in the meantime, their heart grows harder and harder. That's a frightening thing!
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6/23/2021 08:05:13 am
The beauty of seeking Him being active is you're more engaged in the process and you're offering God an open heart to do His good works. Wonderful post. Thanks for sharing.
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6/23/2021 09:34:43 am
Thank you for that, Lisa! "...offering God an open heart to do His good works." We all need to be in that humble position today! "Here, God. Here I am. Do Your good works through me!" Thanks for sharing!
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6/23/2021 02:19:08 pm
Yes, Amy, the recognition of that fact is both thought-provoking and life-changing all at the same time!
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6/23/2021 02:14:01 pm
Repentance is key to revival. And I believe it takes a certain level of maturity that I am constantly striving for and praying for in the lives of my kids.
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6/23/2021 02:21:31 pm
For sure it is, Lauren! Praying for that in our own lives, as well as, in the lives of our children, no matter the age, should be a focus of our prayers as mothers.
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6/23/2021 02:47:24 pm
Patsy, thank you for sharing this blessed lesson from Julie. Blessings.
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6/23/2021 05:43:34 pm
I love the suggestions you've listed. They are so practical, but it can be easy to set my own agenda for the day. Thank you for reminding me to keep His agenda in mind.
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6/23/2021 06:06:46 pm
I'm with you, Tammy! It's so easy for me to dive into my day with MY agenda instead of prayerfully seeking His. GREAT reminders this week!
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6/28/2021 09:24:01 pm
Like the definition that revival is not just emotional but transformation. And the extended definition for repentance!
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6/29/2021 07:08:32 am
Julie is really good at putting things into the proper perspective, Karen! So thankful for her insight and writing. :)
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