Repentance

[Dani H]

Note: This is going to be a work in progress, a fluid sharing type message that is going to have many parts to it after it's all said and done.

So ... here is part one for y'all to think about and mull over and provide feedback on.

What is it? How do we do it? What does God actually expect from us? I mean, really? Do we find us some sackcloth and sprinkle ashes on our heads or have someone put an ashen cross on our foreheads and then we go and cry a bit and shed some tears so that God knows we’re REALLY sorry and we’re not kidding? How does He know when we’re serious about anything? What does He accept, and what does He reject? Why can some people confess something or just simply stop doing something, and they walk away happy and free, and why do others moan and groan over a period of weeks or months, maybe years in some cases, and there’s simply no change to be had and they never seem to “get there”?

There’s a Scripture in Hebrews that tells us that Esau “found no place for repentance even though he sought it diligently with many tears” (Hebrews 12:17). There’s a lot of people being confused by that Scripture because they’re under the impression that Esau couldn’t even “cry himself” into a true state of repentance. Actually what it says is that Esau couldn’t get Isaac to relent from having given Jacob the double portion blessing, no matter how much Esau was crying and pleading with his father. What was done, was done and couldn’t be undone. Esau had sold his birthright for some grub, there was a cut-off point and that was it. Actions couldn’t be undone and the resulting words couldn’t be unsaid.

Just as a side note in case you were wondering.

There’s those who say repentance means to “turn from something and walk the other way”.

Certainly there’s truth in that statement.

For example, in Corinth the temple prostitutes would shave their heads as they performed their duties to the “goddess”, and to have a shorn head as a woman meant you could be associated with being a prostitute. That was abhorrent to Paul and so he instructed the believers to do the exact opposite. To distinguish themselves from such shameful acts. That meant he wanted the women there to grow their hair long and wear a covering.

We have a saying in German; “doppelt gemoppelt hält besser”. That means if you double up, the result is twice as strong. Fortification. Why use one rope when you can use two? Why one coat of paint when two will make sure the job is done, and done right? So I can understand why Paul would follow the thought of why just grow long hair if you can cover it too so there’s no doubt whatsoever who and what you stand for? As a reminder to oneself and to others?

Matter of fact, Paul was a real stickler when it came to “Not only … BUT …” The more I read his letters, the more I marvel at his integrity. Willing to never eat meat if it was going to make weaker a brother fall away from Jesus. Willing to get his name removed from the Book of Life if it meant his Israelite brethren would remain in it. Willing to work as a tent maker when he, out of all people, because of the miracle working power that followed his travels, could just have easily and rightfully kept his focus on that alone instead of having to work with his bare hands. Paul knew his rights. He knew his freedom. And he laid it all down, every last bit, for the sake of Jesus and the Gospel.

Unbelievable. And, I’m actually wondering if Paul’s integrity and said miracle working power were in any way connected. Correction, I’m not wondering. I know they were. I also know that much of our lack of power today as believers has to do with our lack of integrity in so many areas of our lives. But, I digress.

[Dani H]

I’ve heard repentance described as “re-pent” meaning, “get back to the top.” The penthouse of a building is the very topmost space. We’re the pinnacle of God’s creation, supposedly, and so in that sense, re-pentance brings us from being lowered to the ground by sin to a near-animalistic state where we operate by sheer survival instinct, back to the top where we belong.

I can see where that contains some truth, but that still leaves something to be desired because too often, those same people then think they’re “gods” and above others and carry an air of arrogance (often defended as “confidence”) where more regular folk really can’t relate to them anymore.

Fact is this: We were created in God’s image, in His likeness. To be like something, that means you can put the two side by side and see the similarities. You can tell that one comes from the other. That they’re connected. When you look at a child and the parent next to the child, often you can see the resemblance of the parent in that child, and vice versa.

Fact is also this: Too often, we act nothing like Jesus and we look nothing like Him. Or maybe just a little bit, some of the time. There’s always exceptions of course, but generally speaking, there are just so very many people commenting on the discrepancy of what they see Jesus be and say and act like in Scripture, versus what they see in His professed followers. I’m sorry, I’m not going to sit there and say “well, those people who make those comments are just all unbelieving mockers out to persecute believers.” Not everyone out there is completely dumb and blind.

Or the other, oft-heard response of “well, Christians aren’t perfect, just forgiven.”

Sure. God is merciful and we have that promise that should we sin, we find forgiveness. Jesus came to save us from being lost, and He promised that He would forgive us.

But is that the dividing line? We’re forgiven, and others aren’t? That’s what Jesus died for, so we could be forgiven? That’s what sets us apart? We can act like everyone else, talk like everyone else, look like everyone else, and at the end of the day we ask for forgiveness, and that’s it?

Do we actually believe that?

I’m in no way discounting the power of forgiveness. If you’ve ever hurt a person and wanted to restore a relationship, then you understand that forgiveness matters. A lot. We also understand that forgiveness has the power to lift guilt from inside of us and clear the way for a fresh start. And so the words “just forgiven” to my thinking, cheapen the power of forgiveness very greatly, actually. And it remains an excuse because God tells His people to be perfect as He is perfect, to be holy as He is holy. But we like to skip over that part. So are we to be perfect and holy, or not? Did God say that just to hear Himself talk? What? He didn’t really mean it cause He knew we couldn’t possibly actually do it?

In keeping with the “just forgiven” mindset, every day is a fresh start. Maybe tomorrow we’ll mess up a little less than today, so we have less to be forgiven for.

No that this is a bad deal either, because at least there’s progress then, right? String enough of those days together, and hopefully in like 50 years maybe you won’t hardly mess up at all. Thumbs up! Or maybe by then you’ve gotten a lot older and realize that certain sins just take too much energy anymore and so you just fuhgeddabout it and take a nap instead.

[Dani H]

There’s yet another very powerful definition of repentance, and that has to do with “don’t do that … do this instead.” Unfortunately we often harp on the “don’t do that” but forget to actually form a coherent thought to describe what “this” is. So then it seems like all Christianity is, is a bunch of “don’ts.” Don’t get drunk. Don’t have sex outside marriage. Don’t be arrogant. Don’t be mean. Don’t lie. Don’t steal. Don’t be lazy. Like the 10 Commandments, but repackaged, plus 70 more things on the list. So then what about the “do’s”? Those who believe in greater balance and have actually bothered to look at the other side of the equation will tell you exactly what to do: Do pray. Do study your Bible. Do what it says. Do love other people. Do be kind to others. Do treat them well. Do serve them. Do honor your parents. Do respect your husbands. Do love your wives. Do give to the poor. Do share what you have with others. Do lighten their load.

I call this a replacement theology because what we’re doing, either immediately or over time, is replacing one set of actions, with another. Which is a good and beneficial and powerful thing, and there is, of course, LOTS of truth in that. Because if others see us actually doing the “do’s” then they will be more willing to listen to the Gospel message and it will lend us far greater credibility. Plus, our relationships will be incredibly better, and so there’s really nothing bad to it that I can see. Because Jesus did tell the woman caught in adultery to “go and sin no more.” So we try that. Go and don’t sin anymore, and go and do all those other things that are good and right that the Bible very definitely tells us to go do. And we feel much better and there is more joy and we may even feel good because God definitely has to be approving of us now that we’re not doing bad things but we’re doing good things instead. Until one day we stumble and slip and then “whew, thank You God for forgiveness” and we ask for that and then set about doing more good and not doing more bad. I can readily see where one can live their entire life like that and where that wouldn’t be a bad thing for all involved.

[miepie]

Thanks for explaining it so well Dani..... I've always struggled with this....... This helps a lot!

Love you bunches,
Mieke

[MoreMercy]

When I had or have a difficult time with a specific sin, or if I keep finding myself returning to the same specific sin like a dog returning to its vomit. I found by experience that when I search and find in His words where He says that specific act is sin, and then if I confess with my mouth or agree with Father: that YES that specific act is sin.
Doing that really strengthens and supports my will and resolve to turn my back on that sin. (to repent)

For me the word confess and the word repent go hand in hand for repentance to be effective/lasting/productive for me.

When I confess or agree with Him, then He enables my repentance and gives me the privilege of obedience.
Otherwise it is just one more opportunity of the 490 opportunities a day to just say "Im sorry" and not ever turn away from what He says is sin or is sinful.

Reverence and Repentance...


Father bless and have mercy on us.

[Dani H]

I gave you all those definitions and the thoughts behind them, to say this: All of these have to do with repentance. All of them are valid. But they do not give us a complete picture of what repentance truly is and the power it holds.

To fully understand the power of repentance, we have to go back to Genesis. We have to understand that we were made by God, for God. Adam and Eve enjoyed unbroken fellowship with God. There was nothing in them that was unlike God. There was nothing broken. There was order. There was holiness. There was perfection. There was only “good” and “very good”. Man was in his rightful place and all was well between him and God.

Until sin. Until unbelief. Until doubt. Until rebellion.

With sin, brokenness entered. With sin, something happened in man that severed his most primal connection to the Creator. To where now they had to be covered with animal skins. Now they had to do things the hard way. Now they were denied access to the tree of life. Because the wages of sin is death. Holiness gave way to perversion. Perfection gave way to ... well ... not perfection.

Repentance, in its most basic definition, means “turn back to God.” Turn back to how things used to be. Turn back to that state of fellowship between man and God. Turn back to holiness. Turn back to perfection. Turn back and let God restore everything within us to its intended state. Turn back and let God remove everything from within us that He didn’t put there!

The result of repentance will always be transformation. It’s not just behavior modification. It’s not just receiving forgiveness. Paul said he was laboring for young believers until Jesus was formed in them. Because Jesus is the last Adam and if Jesus is formed in us, that means we’re back to our original state. When we turn to the Lord, we have our sin forgiven. But … that’s not all He’s done for us! Jesus paid the price for us to stand before Father God in boldness and full assurance of acceptance. That requires repentance on our part. Of what? Of our unbelief toward Jesus. Of our unbelief that He is who He says He is and that He came to save us and that He died for our sin and was buried and then raised again from the dead on the third day. Of our rebellion against the authority of God, by confessing Jesus Christ as not only Savior but also Lord. Jesus accomplished far more for us than just us getting our sin forgiven. He is the Way and the Truth and the Life. The Way to God. We lost our way, wouldn’t you agree? The Truth about God. We’ve built gods in our own head that we worship because God in all His holiness tends to scare the bits out of us, wouldn’t you agree? Jesus is the Life. Because God is Life. Life trumps death. When we were dead in our sins and trespasses, Jesus gave us His own life and the Spirit of God raises those dead places in us. It’s not just about us having access to God, though. What about God having access to us? It always works both ways.

As far as God concerned, provisionally, there is nothing left to be done. Jesus did everything. And repentance is the one key, the one tool, the one action that takes God’s provision for us and makes it a reality in us. Jesus’ first message out of the gates was “Repent”. That’s no accident! Repentance is a big deal. A major, massive, unbelievable big deal because it holds the power to bring us back to God where we belong, in every nook and cranny of our being and in every corner of our life with everything that affects us. But we’ve forgotten how to repent. We’ve stuck repentance into a corner of our closet and have focused on other things. And by so doing, we’ve robbed ourselves of that most vital connection between ourselves and our Lord. We ask forgiveness and then return to sin like a dog to vomit. Over and over again. Why not go the whole way and ask for deliverance and transformation? Why stop at the surface instead of dealing with the root issues? Why not let God deal with not only the behavior but the reasons why we do what we do and believe what we believe? Give full access to God, beloved. You’ll never regret it!

It’s time for repentance to take front and center stage once again. It’s time for us to learn how. It’s time for us to turn back to God and ask Him to teach us. To make us willing to give God the green light to do a work in our life that is so thorough that it’s undeniable. We have to become willing to let God do whatever it takes to bring us back to our true state before Him. Why wait until we get to heaven? The Kingdom of God is with us, and in us, because we know the King. Why eat crumbs when God has prepared a meal at His table? In the very presence of our enemies! Why not have revival that starts today, in us, and never stops until Jesus comes?

In God’s eyes, to be willing to do something is the same as doing it. It all hangs on our will. Our will is what ultimately guides our decisions and makes the last call on how we live every single day. Willingness and obedience go hand in hand, always.

Are we willing? To repent? To let God show us how it’s done? We shall soon see the kind of power available to us and present with us as we allow God to open our eyes and unstop our ears and break the hard places in ourselves and give us understanding.

Isaiah 1
18 “ Come now, and let us reason together,”
Says the LORD,

“ Though your sins are like scarlet,
They shall be as white as snow;
Though they are red like crimson,
They shall be as wool.
19 If you are willing and obedient,
You shall eat the good of the land;
20 But if you refuse and rebel,
You shall be devoured by the sword”;
For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.


Matthew 4
17 From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

[Slug1]

Unbelievable. And, I’m actually wondering if Paul’s integrity and said miracle working power were in any way connected. Correction, I’m not wondering. I know they were. I also know that much of our lack of power today as believers has to do with our lack of integrity in so many areas of our lives. But, I digress.[/FONT]

You know, you got me thinking when I read this one statement.

If you can follow my line of thought... All Christian's know in one way or another about righteousness, being holy etc. No matter what level (milk or meat) this understanding is at, we all will be weak in one way or another and do a sinful act, or worse... fall back into sin. This obviously puts a strain on the righteousness within our lives.

Now, some Christians strive harder to be righteous and their form of this is to repent and to stop the sin (which is good) but in time they do it again. They then go to church more, involve themselves in ministry more, read the Bible more and all this time, that sin... they find themselves still a slave to it and despite all this involvement, reading, even praying... "they" still do, that sin.

Seems that to repent a sin, it's all about surrendering it or giving it over to Jesus. It's not about filling our time with the work of God, busying ourselves in the Kingdom, reading the Bible non-stop for the purpose of "not" sinning.

Repentance is about leaving sin behind. Maybe the temptation will follow us around and always be there but the Bible is clear about temptation and NO temptation is SO strong that we can't overcome it:

1 Cor 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.

Action is a part of the act of repentance it seems also. Based on this scripture, we STILL have to "take" that escape. This means that we have to "seek" that escape as well. If we don't do these actions, then the act of repentance means nothing because if STOPPING a sin means we repented... why do many continue to do that sin?

Seems they are not FOLLOWING through.

This brings me back to David when he killed Goliath. We all use the spiritual meaning of that story and associate the scriptures with our own giants. What did David do after he took Goliath out with that stone? He FOLLOWED through and even took ONE of the very tools of intimidation that the giant had used against Israel and used it against Goliath and chopped the head of the giant off.

Not many Christians follow through today... they pray, "Lord forgive me and I repent of this sin, AMEN" and then go about doing their work and the sin (their giant) not only still has the tools (intimidation) to bring temptation but by the intimidation... renders them powerless (as the Israeli Army was against Goliath).

You see, what David did that not many Christians do today is... that young man GAVE everything to the Lord first (was IN surrender to God). The Lord delivered me (David) from the lion, the bear... when we read about his battle with Goliath... he wasn't battling Goliath because David had already GIVEN the battle to God. David had already given the Glory to God. God was battling the giant. This caused all the intimidation from Goliath to mean nothing to David and he had no fear.

How many Christians are repenting but THEY are fighting the battle... themselves?

Anyway... will be reading through some more!

[Dani H]

Repentance is about leaving sin behind AND turning TO the Lord for full deliverance and transformation!

We start out turning to Jesus for forgiveness, salvation and grace to continue in our new life. When do we stop? When we attempt to turn yet again to ourselves. Maybe we think the Lord is mad at us. Maybe we think we've really done it this time. Maybe we think He saved us, great, and now we have to walk this thing out and we try to do right, but we forget about His constant ability and availability to us. Maybe we don't believe that the Spirit of God is with us and that He is powerful enough to deliver, heal and give us freedom.

It's ultimately about false beliefs. I've been guilty of so very many things that I have believed wrong about God, about myself, about life. What we truly believe, we will follow through by way of action, every time.

I remember one time I was in a church service (this was after I was born again), and God spoke to me and made me aware that somewhere in the back of my mind, I was still believing that I probably would have been fine without Jesus. I wanted a rock to bury me, because I realized that He was right,and I felt so, so ashamed, and I asked for forgiveness and for deliverance from this attitude toward Him that was against truth (and in fact a lie). It's those secret thoughts and those attitudes and those things that lurk inside of us, those lies we believe, that God is wanting to dig up and confront, because our outward behavior is directly attached to and rooted in those inward things.

God looks at the heart. We say that, but we don't really believe it half the time. When Jesus says if one looks at a woman with lust in his heart it's the same as adultery because in the heart, the adultery has already taken place, and our inability or unwillingness to carry it out in physical reality usually only depends on a) lack of opportunity and b) fear of consequences. I mean, really, get real. How often did we choose to not sin, not because we love God and didn't want to, but because of other, less pure motives? But God looks at those motives, with a very keen eye. Do we dare get bold enough to confess them and seek freedom from them? Have truly pure hearts AND clean hands before our God?

What will we do when we're pushed to the limit? What will we do if opportunity presents itself? God is wanting to bring preemptive deliverance, so that when we're pushed and tempted and have those opportunities, we can laugh them in the face and be free from all this gunk inside of us, and can focus on God with a clear conscience and love our neighbor with a clear conscience too! With every temptation, there is a way out. Matter of fact, temptation can become the vehicle for deliverance if we cry out for God's full presence in the middle of it!

I remember my "year of breaking" as I call it, when all hell was breaking loose and I was so exhausted from everything that had happened, with no end in sight. I asked God why He was allowing all these things to happen to me. God's answer was "because I want you to be free!". And He said it with such passion, I broke down crying. It was then that I realized that God will take us through whatever needed to set us free from the things within us that always stand between us and Himself. Confrontation is painful. It can be excruciating to take that constant look in the mirror, and often we're so afraid of what's really there, we'd rather not deal with it. But GOD knows what is there! He does! Through and through! He showed me those ungodly things within me as a river one time with log after log after log floating on it. As a geologic cut-through with layer after layer after layer of gunk and dirt and grime. But the good news was that the river itself, the water was pure. And at the bottom of the gunk layers, was a core of gold. That treasure we have. Who we really are as people that God has created, and our value to Him. Where we are one spirit with the Lord. The treasure of the Gospel we carry in frail, weak human vessels. Do we know how frail we are? Do we know how weak we are? Do we know how lost we are without God. Do we really know? On the other hand, do we know who we are in Him and with Him and because of Him?

Repentance ... lemme tell you, there is no greater power that I've seen in all my years of walking with the Lord. It connects us to the living God of the universe who is able to save, heal and deliver. Permanently. It destroys the power of the enemy. It brings freedom, revival and continuous fellowship with God on a level that I used to only dream of and now have. And nobody can take it away from me. Nobody. Not ever. I'm not bragging or being proud. I'm being matter of fact and am stating this with awe and wonder, because it's real.

[lovex]

Wow Dani, you really have amazing wisdom that you share.

Repentance is, in my opinion, a shedding of our old nature. Really experiencing sorrow and grief over what we've done to our Lord Jesus Christ. The reason for His blood shed was because of us, and the sins that we commit daily. My past is filled with so many things that just make me ask Jesus "why do You want me"... but then I realize His love, and passion and desire for me. He has made me worthy and valuable to Him. Without Him, I am nothing. The person who I was before... broken, lost, unworthy, and sinful.