[ Previous Page ]     [ Next Page ]        Page:

We have mentioned many times the need for repentance. I’m sure none of you doubt that man is a sinner. We all understand that repentance is not the same as saying "I’m sorry" when you get caught. Even a young child will say I’m sorry but that does not mean he’s repentant. We had a child in church not too long ago that was obviously being disruptive to those around him. When his Mom started to carry him from the sanctuary he called out: "Wait, Mom, wait. I want to sit down in church now." Was he repentant? No, he just knew he’d been caught.

Many of us as adults easily say I’m sorry when we get caught but we do not plan to change anything. We only want to appease the one we have offended. God will not be appeased.

Others find it almost impossible to say I’m sorry. Unfortunately, we as a society have programmed people against personal accountability. "Oh, it’s not his fault." "He came from a bad home." "He is too young to know any better." "My Susie wouldn’t do that." "How dare you accuse my Johnny of something like that?" "Billy was only teasing." "You just don’t understand his temperament." "He is so sensitive." "She’s artistic." "It’s probably just hormones."

Is it any surprise that we have a generation of adults that can’t or won’t accept blame? God expects true repentance. I John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful, and just, to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. God demands that we have enough sorrow for our sin that we confess/admit our sins, ask forgiveness for our sins, be cleansed from the penalty of our sins and as a result change the way we live.

Let’s suppose one of the inmates in jail went into court and said I’m sorry I was using and selling drugs. The judge looks at the prisoner and replies I’m glad you’re sorry and I forgive you. I believe I’ll release you today. The prisoner smiles, all right I’m forgiven. Then the judge asks: "Where are you going to live?" To which the prisoner replies "Oh, I’ll go back and live with my buddy Jim at the ‘crack house.’" Do you think the judge will believe he’s sorry and repentant?

We must confess all of our sin and repent of it. Does your husband have a hard time saying, "I’m sorry" to you? How well do you think he does with God? God knows our innermost feelings.

Only in true repentance can we find deliverance from the crushing weight of sin. Proverbs 28:13 He who covers his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.

When repentance is genuine, God cleanses us and lifts the burden of our guilt. God breaks the bonds of sin. When Fred, first accepted the Lord, he quit smoking. The desire was gone, freed from the bondage of tobacco. Two years later when he was going through personal problems he started smoking again. Three years later when I met him, he had his faith, his children, his health, his job, his home but he hadn’t quit smoking again. The devil had enticed him into addiction and breaking free from that addiction was very hard.

[ Previous Page ]     [ Next Page ]        Page:

This page has been displayed 2 times this month, 52 times since October 11, 2008 .