Repentance!

 The actual New King James Version reads like this:

"19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;"

But for the purposes of this blog, I have used the above illustration to drive home a point. 

And the point is this. If you have not admitted that you are sinner, then you need to do so immediately.  Because there is simply no other way to get back to being in a relationship with GOD.  If we do not know that we are sinners and have sinful natures, we are deceiving not only ourselves, but we are shunning the grace of GOD.  This grace of GOD is given to each one of us freely.  On the admission of guilt.

Repentance means a change of heart.  A one hundred and eighty degree turn around from who we were to who we are when we fully understand that GOD sent HIS only Son to die in our place in order to grant us redemption from our sins. Jesus died on that cross nailed there by your sin and my sin.  Past, present and future.

When we will not admit to being sinners, we make a mockery of our FATHER in Heaven's grace and favour.  We reject GOD and we distance ourselves from HIM.

To get back to a living relationship with GOD, we need to admit that we are sinners and ask for forgiveness.  We need to believe that Jesus is the ONLY WAY to GOD.  That Jesus died for you and for me.  GOD will then send HIS Holy Spirit to live in us and we will know when and where we sin.

But repentance looks like something.   It makes a better person of us.  Because all of a sudden, we no longer carry the burden of our past sins.  They are blotted out.  Forgiven never to be remembered by GOD again.  And this is a huge relief.  It gives us the courage to become new people before GOD.  But this renewal will show outwardly.

And this I know from personal experience.  I used to listen to swearing all the time.  Now it offends me deeply.  I used to tell lies.  Now when I lie, I am instantly convicted to tell the truth.  I used to lose my temper freely.  Now when I, I am instantly sorry and I need to ask for forgiveness.  This does not mean that I do not sin.   I am human and I will always sin.  It just means that I know when I sin.  I am instantly convicted. 

What I am telling you all is deeply personal.  But trust me, I have noticed changes in my life that I never thought possible.  And that is why I know that repentance looks like something.  I am not the person that I used to be.  And I cannot go back.  I can only go forwards into the loving arms of my Lord and my Saviour, Jesus Christ.  I never want to go back I will remain a sinner, but with the right heart for GOD, I am forgiven. And the burden of sin has been lifted.  

Prayer:  Heavenly FATHER, I am a sinner.  Forgive me today.  Thank YOU FATHER for YOUR grace which I accept.  Thank YOU for sending Jesus to die in my place on that cross for my sins.  I accept YOUR grace and I ask for YOU to fill me with YOUR Holy Spirit.  I pray this in the Holy Name of Jesus Christ.  Amen.

Stay truly GOD blessed today!