TRUE REPENTANCE IS A COMMITMENT TO CHANGE

“For even if I made you sorry with my letter, I do not regret it; though I did regret it. For I perceive that the same epistle made you sorry, though only for a while.  

 

 

While the modern church places emphasis on confession when the believer sins; it often does not offer a good understanding of what repentance means.  James 5:16 and 1 John 1:9 are the only two places mentioned in the New Testament concerning the confession of sin. (“Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much” James 5:16).  (“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” 1 John 1:9). However, repentance is talked about much more. It is necessary not to confuse the two, because a believer can confess sin without true repentance but we can not repent without confessing.

It is possible for people to feel sorry and confess sin but change nothing.  Repentance can be described as having a deep and genuine feeling of guilt or remorse and being determined not to commit the same sin in the future.  Repentance (also known as contrition) means taking responsibility for sin and committing to change a wrong action or attitude; this is essential for spiritual growth.  True confession—agreeing with God’s perspective about our transgression—goes hand-in-hand with repentance, because if we know God hates what we are doing, then we will make every effort to stop.

By means of confession and repentance, the believer accepts responsibility for ridding her or his life of a sin through the Holy Spirit’s power. Simply because a believer knows that Jesus is ready to forgive does not give the believer the right to keep on sinning and treat out relationship with the Lord casually.   We must do more than superficially saying, “Hey God it is me I have messed up again—I am sorry.”  Although Satan may keep tempting us, to triumph over habitual sin, we must choose to resist temptation and obey God.  I can testify that sincerity, perseverance, humility and a willingness to confess and repent gives us victory.

Remember that repentance is not just feeling sorry or claiming weakness in the face of temptation, but it is a condition wherein our spirit understands the Lord’s grief over sin, grieves with Him, and commits to changing our behavior to please Him. 

 

Prayer—Father today I make a true commitment to change___________in my life.  I sincerely ask You to forgive me of ___________________.  I thank You Holy Spirit for strengthen me as I resist _______________.  I trust You Lord for the victory, in Jesus Name. Amen.