August 20, 2010


Repentance for Sinners and Saints

By Michael Youssef, Ph.D.

The church of Thyatira had love, faith, and patient endurance in tribulation, but they were allowing moral compromise in their midst. They tolerated a woman named Jezebel, a self-proclaimed prophetess, who was teaching immorality. While some remained true to God, others fell into deceit.

Often we think that repentance is just for sinners. However, it is for saints too. If we succumb to temptation, we must repent. If we remain faithful, God is faithful to us. If we turn our back on Satan, we gain a mighty victory.

Meanwhile, the church of Sardis had another problem. They had a reputation of being alive, but they were spiritually dead. For us to be made alive in Christ there are certain things we must do.

First, we must wake up and take an inventory of our spiritual condition. Are we living lives that are pleasing to God?

Second, we must become committed to studying God’s Word. Do we know what we believe? We believe in the virgin birth, the bodily resurrection of Christ, authority of the Scripture, the holiness and righteousness of life, and the second coming of Christ.

Third, we must remember the truth. Remember the essence of the faith, not the fads of culture. Remember the commitment you once made to Christ.

Fourth, we must guard and protect this sacred trust.

Fifth, we must turn to the Lord, seeking His forgiveness with a repentant heart.

Whether we are in danger of falling into deceit as the church of Thyatira, or being spiritually dead as the Sardis church, God desires our willingness to turn toward Him. If we don’t respond during the time that the Lord has given, He will deal with us. In His mercy and love, God disciplines us so that we may become more like Him.

To him who overcomes and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations (Revelation 2:26).

www.leadingtheway.org

Matthew 4:17 Jesus said " Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." Why?
Because Jesus message centered on the imminent arrival of the Kingdom of Heaven and the repentance that it necessitates.
Repentance is best defined as a change of mind that leads to a change of action.
The key word is 'Change'.

Change of Mind
We must change in regards to Sin, our atitudes and mindset, our thoughts.
Our thoughts and ways should be in line with God's will.

Change of action
We must allow Christ to express himself in our character. We must desire and be determined to allow for the receptivity of his activity in our lives

When we repent, it allows God to rebuild us by clearing away every rock and stone the evil one has planted in our hearts. For God who lives in the high and holy place with those whose spirit are contrite and humble, will restore the crushed spirit of the humble and revive the courage of those with repentant hearts.