Our Message .:. Repentance

All of life for God is a progression, a journey. We move from one step to the next, just as though we were walking down a road. These beginning steps are the most important, as they set us off in the right direction. Believing the Gospel is the very first step. Repentance is the next, necessary step.

The literal meaning of repentance is to change one's mind or purpose, to turn around, to face the other direction. For us in our relationship with Jesus it means to turn from sin and face God.

What is Sin?

Sin is more than a list of things that we can do wrong. By purest definition sin is the state of the heart that causes use to do wrong. Things such as lying, stealing, fornication, drunkeness, drug abuse, violence, adultery, pornography, hatred, witchcraft, greed, addiction … and etc; are all symptoms of a spiritual disease. A disease that everyone is born with, a disease called sin.

Jesus Christ came to administer the cure for this disease.

A Cure for what Ails You

Repentance is simply three steps in the Journey toward God, and part of larger steps in the process known as the Born Again experience.

1. Realization — brings with it the understanding that our sinful condition places us in the position of being an enemy of God. This same God who loves us and gave himself for us. God is Holy, where sin is, God will not dwell.
2. Godly Sorrow — is a state of being sorry for our actions. Godly sorrow is beyond feeling bad about what we did because we got caught, or feeling sorry but knowing we will just do it again at next opportunity. Godly Sorrow is being sorry enough to do something about it. To change.
3. Cessation — Cessation is the act of stopping. In this case, stop sinning. If one is involved in a adulterous relationship it means break it off. Stop. If one is addicted to crack cocaine it means stop taking that drug. If one is a thief, stop stealing and return what was stolen if at all possible.

This All Seems Very Hard

Yes, it can be, in fact, with cessation we have only dealt with the symptoms of the disease. Were this the last step in the salvation journey we could not in most cases by force of will we wouldn't be able to make it.

Think of Repentance as Being sorry before God for your sins and GIVING your sins to Jesus!

If you are feeling that this is your answer, please Contact Us we are standing by to help you take the right steps in the journey.

In the next step we will see what God does with those sins in Water Baptism!

 Scripture References

Isaiah 59:1-2
[1] Behold, the LORD's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear:
[2] But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.

Ezekiel 18:30-31
[30] Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, saith the Lord GOD. Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin.
[31] Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel?

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

Luke 13:1-5
[1] There were present at that season some that told him of the Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.
[2] And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things?
[3] I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
[4] Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem?
[5] I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.

Acts 2:38
Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Acts 17:30-31
[30] And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:
[31] Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.