Repentance

Repentance. What does this mean? We're all told to repent and be forgiven, but do we understand what we must do?  In the Christian definition it is to turn away from sin.

To repent you should first recognize that which you did wrong and admit it, own up to it. More so, you should self reflect on how this hurt another including God, how it made them feel by the action you did wrong. You should truly feel sorrow and regret for that which you are sorry for. Otherwise saying sorry is simply put, a lie.You should apologize to the other and to God, and ask for forgiveness. But it's not just saying sorry, it's having actions to defend your words. That involves a pivot 180 degree turn and walking in the opposite direction, no longer doing that which is wrong but doing that which is right. You are making a deliberate choice to say no to evil, no to the devil, no to the sin, and yes to Jesus- the way, the truth, the life.

In doing that you are on your way to accepting Jesus if you haven't already. You are admitting that in being human and imperfect, you are a sinner. You are admitting the sins you have committed and asking for forgiveness for them. You are choosing then to walk in the way of Jesus. In that you then must commit to Him, believe in Him, and invite Him into your life.

This doesn't mean, hey God make my life better now I believe in you. Think about it- put into a form we can understand, if we have 10 people interviewing for a job and 9 of them who showed they worked hard and were good employees and then 1 who just showed up for the pay check, would we even consider that 1? Probably not. Now God wouldn't want to turn away from anyone but why should He want to give you blessings when all you give him is disgust? Sadly, I think the world today is more like 9 who do nothing and 1 who does something, and even that something is probably far less than it could be. So basically if you want God to answer your prayers, be a part of your life, bless you- you should absolutely show Him you mean it, that you are serious about following Him and living for Him. Read your Bible, if you don't have one go get one. There are actually plenty you can request online for free so money can be of no excuse. Pray. Praying can be as simple as having a conversation with God like you do with a friend. Surround yourself with believers and join a church and church groups to educate yourself on Jesus and what it means to be a Christian.

So next time you say you're sorry, do you really mean it? Did you do all of that which is involved for repentance? Furthermore, what is floating out there in your life that you have yet to repent? Why not make today the day that you settle that matter? W hy not make today the day you welcome Jesus into your life if you haven't already? It's not too late no matter how far off track you strayed. It's not too late no matter how much you did wrong. God would LOVE for you to own up to those sins and turn your life over to Him to a life of love and joy.

Sin is of the devil and the devil is full of lies. What appears enticing is nothing more than a trap to get you far off down the wrong path. What seems easy will only be much harder in the long run. Nothing that is worth it is simple. What may bring a moment of joy is nothing more than false fulfillment that ends in regret. True joy only comes from Jesus. Don't let the devil win. Jesus is the way, the TRUTH, the life. And the truth will set you free.

The one who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work. 1 John 3:8

From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” Matthew 4:17