Daily Word
Prepared By: Suzy Naber
It is God who draws man to himself. Jesus said in John 6:44 "No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him…." In Jeremiah 31:18 "Turn thou me, and I shall be turned; for thou art the Lord my God." Since God is omniscient, the turning of the heart comes from Him. The Bible says that we are dead in trespasses and in sins. A dead man can do nothing of himself; he therefore needs God's help in touching his heart.
It is up to each individual to respond to God's drawing touch of the heart. When a person responds to God's call and is born again, he firstly needs to repent of his sins. Peter says in Acts 3:19 "Repent then and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord…"
Repentence is absolutely essential. The Word of God reveals the great importance of repentance. The person who does not repent will perish. Luke 13:3 "I tell you, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish". All men throughout the world, of whatever race, color, language, or culture need to repent and be born again. We are all guilty of "sin" and sinners by nature. It is this disease of sin that Christ dealt with on the cross. He became the cosmic scapegoat for the entire world. All of our sins were laid on Him. This is why God can now forgive us.
How do we repent and what is repentance?
- Repentance is first of all a confession of our sin. It is impossible to repent while trying to cover the sin. An acknowledgement of sin is essential; we have to admit that we are sinners and have an individual guilt before God. In Luke 15:21, the lost son said to his father "Father I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son."In Proverbs 28:13 "He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy".
- Repentance is a change of mind and purpose. The person who repents should be completely changed and transformed just as Paul wrote in Romans 12:2 "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, then you will be able to test and approve what Gods will is – his good pleasing and perfect will".
- Repentance is a godly sorrow; a heart-broken sorrow. Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 7:10 "Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death."
- Repentance is a decision to forsake sin and to turn to God. Acts 26:18 "I am sending you to them to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins…."
- And finally repentance is a death to sin. In salvation a person is identified with Jesus in death, burial and resurrection. Romans 6:3 "We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death."
Prayer:
Dear heavenly Father, I acknowledge that I have sinned against you. I am sorry for my sins. I am willing to turn from my sins and from this moment on live for you and serve you. In Jesus' name Amen.
October, 16, 2006 11:35 PM