2 Chronicles 7:14 ”if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”
To turn from our wicked ways or to repent is usually a big part of our prayer life. We know that when we have sin in our hearts, or lives, that there is a block between us and God. Every time we come before Him (if we do) we are confronted with the ugliness of our sin. Most of us cannot even focus in our prayer life if we know we have unrepented sin. Many times I find my self praying like David.
Psalm 139: 23-24 “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”
What I am learning about repentance is it is something that I have to continue in. Not only do I need to continue in prayer all day and it is not just a one time event but I need to have my heart in a humble and repentant state on a continual basis. I also need His Spirit to search me and show me sin otherwise I might excuse it and call it normal. I cannot even know my sin unless the Holy Spirit and or the Word reveals it to me.
Romans 2:4 “Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness leads you toward repentance?”
I am thankful that it is the kindness of God that leads me to repentance. I thank Jesus for being patient with me and not destroying me but showing me mercy. I not only need to repent but I want to because He is so kind and merciful.
Today ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you any sin that is in you. Ask Him to lead you to a hatred of your sin and a repentant heart. Let Him do a work in your heart and lead you in the way of everlasting. Think of the kindness of God and meditate on His mercy and let that lead you into repentance.
questions to meditate on…
(1) What is the biggest block in your spiritual life?
(2) What sins do you see in your life that you need to repent of?
(3) What do you deserve for all the sin you have committed and why have you not received what you deserve?
(4) What kindness has God shown to you?
I had a feeling this one would be blank for a while. Pastor, my struggle today is trying to find things I need to repent for, and staying in continuous repentance. I feel like I have recently repented for a whole list of things, and found forgiveness and healing… but how do I stay in continuous repentance? I am not saying I am not a sinner, I know I am. I would just like to learn more about continuous repentance…
I’m right with Brett on this one……How do I stay in continuous repentance? I mean, like Brett said, I know I’m a sinner and sin daily…..if not in my actions, then at least in my heart. Is that what you mean by continuous repentance? Just asking God to show us daily (continuously) what we should repent for?
Hey guys, I think the best illustration of this is John 13 when Peter was getting His feet washed and Jesus said, “The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but is completely clean.” When we are walking through life we may pick up some dust on our feet and we have to remain humble enough to allow Jesus to wash our feet. What I mean by continuous repentance is probably better worded as a repentant heart. Just as deb said asking God daily to reveal our hearts to us and the Holy Spirit to convict us.
Not repenting over the same thing that God has already forgotten and forgiven but staying humble and repentant no matter how small the sin may seem. Today I was convicted of doubt and spent time having God reveal to me my areas of doubt because I had overlooked them.
Love you guys and I pray that you hear my heart I am not trying to bring up old sin but deal with present sin and covered sin.
Ahh….I love that explanation…..”When we are walking through life we may pick up some dust on our feet and we have to remain humble enough to allow Jesus to wash our feet.” Makes perfect sense now.
Most of the guys know that I struggle quite a bit with lustful passions of the flesh. To me, it seems like the greatest block between me and God and I am in a continual battle every second especially being 18 yrs old and in college. Temptation is everywhere. However, the more I realize that I am the one giving in to Satan’s snare and this nasty sin has a stronghold on me, I realize it goes deeper than lust. I think God opened my eyes during this fast that it is not the lust that I struggle with-it is the unbeilf I have that Jesus is not enough and that his power is not able to defeat the evil passion inside of me. I repent of my lack of faith and for believing the lie the lie that Christ is only something I need instead of everything I need. I just want Him to satisfy me, to make me utterly complete each and every day.
Josh,
Thanks for that.. I love this input. Please keep using the blog to share what God is teaching you and anything that He puts on your heart.
Now that I have taken some time out, The Holy Spirit has reminded me of my anger and wrath, just because I don’t show it outwardly (thank God) i still find ways to hate in my heart. Therefor being guilty of murder in my heart. I need to repent for not fighting for relationship with people, because I dont like them. I repent for not choosing to love people, after all this is the greatest commandment, God has had so much mercy on me and my life, Jesus calls us to be the same in heart. Luke 6:32-36
Same here, Brett…..I was SO reminded last night of all that I need to repent of. This list is too long to put here, but boy oh boy…..to think that I might have a hard time being in continuous repentance….well, I suppose the arrogance and pride in that statement says it all.
This one really challenged me yesterday. I have been struggling really hard with a failure mentality for a long time. It’s gotten to the point where i fear going to the Lord because I’ve been convinced that I’m going to fail at whatever He speaks, if I even hear Him correctly in the first place. Then, if I were to repent, I’d fail and revert back to whatever He was trying to rid me of. I felt trapped and lonely. Then the thought of “continual repentance” just sent me for a loop!
“I don’t want to repent continually! I have a hard enough time just getting it done right the first time!” , was my thinking. `
But then the Lord started asking me some pretty pointed questions: “Why can’t you be a failure?” and “What’s wrong with being continually broken?” and “Who do you want to get the glory?”
Basically, I’ve been wanting to be known for being good at something… anything. And I always fall short. I haven’t been content with Jesus being THE ONLY strength of my life. I wanted to be strong and make a name for myself- which is exactly what the people said when embarking on the Tower of Babel, “Let’s make a name for ourselves…”. I have to be content and joyful in the fact that apart from Christ, I AM A FAILURE!!! He is the only part of me that can succeed or accomplish anything good and notable. And when He does… He isn’t interested in going “halvsies” with the glory! It’s ALL because of Him. Any worth that I have is ALL because of who He is in me. I have to let Him lead me to the cross CONTINUALLY so that He can accomplish His will. I am literally His puppet. And I’m so thankful for that!
Christy,
Thanks sooo much for that amazing testimony… I pray that God will do exalt you as you remain humble.
Love ya!