Guiding Light!
Repentance!
Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. 2 Corinthians 7:10
Repentance is not just an act but an attitude. It is not an outward expression, but an inward profession of a changed heart. When we are truly sorry for a sin we have committed before God, then this will bring true repentance and God is just to forgive us. Regrets? I've had a few, but then again to few to mention......remember that song? As the song continues it reads, "I did it my way", well every time I have done it my way it turned out a mess. It is only when I totally rely on God and follow His leading that things turn out the correct way, God's way!
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:8-10
Although faith alone is the condition for salvation (Eph 2:8-10; Acts 16:31), repentance is bound up with faith and inseparable from it, since without some measure of faith no one can truly repent, and repentance never attains to its deepest character until the sinner realizes through saving faith how great is the grace of God against whom he has sinned. On the other hand, there can be no saving faith without true repentance. Repentance contains as essential elements, a genuine sorrow toward God on account of sin (2 Cor 7:9-10; Matt 5:3-4; Ps 51:1); an inward disgust to sin necessarily followed by the actual forsaking of it (Matt 3:8; Acts 26:20; Heb 6:1); and humble self-surrender to the will and service of God (Acts 9:6). Repentance, it should be observed, has different stages of development. In its lowest and most imperfect form it may arise from fear of the consequences or penalty of sin. If it goes no farther than this it is simply remorse and must end in despair. It deepens in character with the recognition of the wickedness of sin itself. But here again it is merely a burden of soul from which man may seek to free himself in vain till he recognizes the great hope before him in the gospel. It becomes more complete and powerful in those who have experienced the saving grace of God and thus realize more fully the enormity of sin and the depths of the divine compassion that has been operative in their salvation.
Repentance, it is thus to be seen, is the gift of God (Acts 5:31; 11:18; Rom 2:4). It is so because God has given His word with its revelations concerning sin and salvation; also the Holy Spirit to impress the truth and awaken the consciences of men and lead them to repentance. But as with faith so with repentance-it is left with men to make for themselves the great decision.
Heavenly Father, we come before you with a humble heart seeking forgiveness of our sins and inequities, cleanse us Father and be merciful toward us, your children. Our hearts are heavy for the sins we have committed Father, we ask for the strength to overcome our weaknesses and to be a better child for you. We thank you in advance Heavenly Father for what you are about to do in our life. We eagerly look forward to serving you in all that we do. We praise and honor you Father. In Jesus Christ name we pray.......amen
In Christ's Service,
Kenny Millhouse
kenny@guidinglightministry.com
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