Repentance

Repentance is a word that is critical to the Christian life, and should be a recurring experience in our hearts. Our walk with Christ starts with repentance, in scripture Peter said, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38).
 Repentance is turning away from your sinful nature, then begin to live by the Holy Spirit (Gal. 5:16-18). Repentance is not a one time deal, it is a daily relationship building opportunity with Christ. 

Repentance is Repeatable 

You may have to repent more than once, “Even if they sin against you seven times in a day and seven times come back to you saying ‘I repent,’ you must forgive them” (Lu. 17:4), Christ is teaching this lesson from experience. I have repeatedly repented of a sin and then the next day I repeat the sin like I never repented of it; by God’s amazing grace I am forgiven every time.

Repentance is Refreshing

Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord (Acts 3:19). You will not just receive a time of refreshing from the Lord, but also a time of peace, like a weight lifted off your soul.

Repentance is Essential 

Therefore let us move beyond the elementary teachings about Christ and be taken forward to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God (Heb 6:1). Repentance is something we have to learn from the beginning.

Repentance through Faith

I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus. (Acts. 20:21). Over the few years I have been a Christian when I have placed my faith in Jesus, he always has opened a door for repentance. When you take the opportunity to repent, he always gives you peace.

God you are the best, thank you for reteaching me these things that I have neglected to put into practice. Let us have the faith to turn away from our sin day by day.

Thanks for reading. Contact me Email, Follow on Twitter @JonSAdams. Your welcome to comment.

Pray Throughout the Day

This is a short video that has been a goal for me since I have watched it.

FAITH

As Christians we throw around a lot of words like repentance, glorification, sanctification, and faith. We have little understanding on the meaning of words like these, and how the words apply to our lives. In the next few months I am going to unpack these words, give you a biblical understanding, and how to apply it to your life.    

Faith is a gift from God (Eph. 2:8). Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see (Heb. 11:1). This definition of faith is often the same for the word believe. A belief is something we think exists. If we just believe in God, we are no better than demons (Jas. 2:19). Neither can faith be by itself, if not accompanied by action, it is dead (Jas. 2:7). Abraham had an amazing display of faith when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? Abraham knew killing his son Isaac would end the line of Jesus, but Abraham still choose to obey(action) God. Abraham's  faith and actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did (Jas. 2:22). Through faith you will be righteous (Ro 1:17). And faith produces works; that’s why the passage says “works of faith.” When we put our faith in Christ, God changes our hearts and desires so good works are actually possible (Philippians 2:13). If you have faith, works will be done, which have been prepared for you (Eph. 2: 8-10).

Do you just believe in Jesus or do you have faith in Jesus?

John Calvin, a preacher in the 1500s said this in his third book of the Institutes of Christian Religion within chapter 4, "This is so true that the term faith is often used as a synonym for confidence” (Calvin 148). In him(God) and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence (Eph. 3:12). God is faithful to all his promises (Ps. 145: 13). We tend to look at God’s promises objectively but not in our own experience. We must take his promises and embrace them in our heart, then our confidence through faith will come to life. A true faithful Christian is one that is firmly convinced he is reconciled to God. John Calvin talks about this in his book, “In other words, you can’t have strong faith in the Lord unless you are gloriously confident of being an heir to the heavenly kingdom” (Calvin 149). This is why Paul says, “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Ro. 8:38-39). PROCLAIM the kingdom of heaven through the faith God has given you!

Are you confident to be an heir to the heavenly kingdom?

God you are so glorious, thank you for giving me faith, that produces good works that you have already prepared for us to do. Let us be confident of the gift you have in store for us in Heaven.

Thanks for reading. Contact me Email, Follow on Twitter @JonSAdams. Your welcome to comment.

Calvin, John. The Institutes of Christian Religion. London: Baker Publishing Group, 1987. 148-149. Print.