ARTICLE 2

REPENTANCEWHAT IS IT?

We live in an era in which, it has become increasingly difficult for most people to know what it means to fully repent of their sins, actions and deeds especially Christians. But the time has come for all of us to do so.

For example, if a child used to steal from the parents and decides to confess for all he or she has done and ask for their forgiveness, it means that the child has repented hence the confession, so the parents do not expect the child to go back to do what he/she has repented of and ask their forgiveness from.

A person whose sins hasn’t been discovered and willingly confessed, is the one who wants to repent of their sins. However, we see the opposite of this, where people will apologize to God and those they have wronged after realizing their mistakes with the commitment not to do that again, but after a short while do the same things again.

Know that there is a difference between confessing of your sins and asking for forgiveness and confessing your sins and repenting from it. The difference between the two is that repentance deals with both asking for forgiveness of sins with a commitment not to repeat it again. Whereas forgiveness deals with forgiving those who wronged you or confessing the wrong you have done to others and asking for their forgiveness.

WHAT IS REPENTANCE?

To turn from sin and dedicate oneself to the amendment of one’s life. The activity of reviewing one’s actions and feeling contrition or regret for the past wrongs, which is accompanied by commitment not to do the same wrongs again.

In Biblical terms, we see Proverbs 28:13 explaining vividly what true repentance is. It states, “Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy” . Nothing ever surprises God and there is no sin He hasn’t seen before. Consequently, no matter how big you think your sins are God is able to forgive you and give you a fresh start, if only you can turn away from it completely. 1 John 1:8-9 says: If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Furthermore, we see in Psalm 51:17 what God expect form us when it comes to dealing with our sins. My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise. In this text we appreciate the fact that all God is looking for, are those who are broken, with contrite/remorseful heart in order for Him to forgive. No proud person will receive forgiveness from God.

Mercy is the highest form of forgiveness because it deals with both forgiveness and the consequences of your actions. James 2:13 says that because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment. So, anytime you go before God to plead for forgiveness do not forget to ask for His mercy for your actions. Some of the sins people are struggling with are generational, which your forefathers couldn’t overcome and it has become difficult for you to overcome

then too. Which means it has become a curse in the family. Recognize that any sin you cannot do away with easily, has mastered you and any form of addiction has a demon behind it. Therefore, if you are struggling with any sin, the first thing to do is to look for a deliverance minister for counseling and prayer. If you cannot find anyone to help you engage in fasting and prayers from time to time using Isaiah 10:27 which says; And it shall come to pass in that day, that his burden shall be taken away from off thy shoulder, and his yoke from off thy neck, and the yoke shall be destroyed because of the anointing, to break the yoke of sin from your life or any scripture which suit what you are going through for fasting and prayers. As a Christian your first helper in overcoming sin in any situation is the Holy Spirit. So, we must engage the helper Holy Spirit more and more to help us overcome sin.

Romans 8:10-13 says; But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you. Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.

Galatians 5:16 says; This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. As you go about this year with your daily activities, be that person who will not go back to eat his or her vomit after you have vomited them. But be the one who goes to God or people and say sorry for their actions and ask for forgiveness and not repeat them again. Shalom!