Is Repentance Necessary?

As it is, I rejoice, not because you were grieved, but because you were grieved into repenting. For you felt a godly grief, so that you suffered no loss through us.

For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death.

For see what earnestness this godly grief has produced in you, but also what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what longing, what zeal, what punishment! At every point you have proved yourselves innocent in the matter.
1 Corinthians 7:9-11 (ESV)

Do you remember as a child, when you did something wrong, and you knew you had, how your heart would convict you?

Perhaps you were afraid for your parents to find out, because you knew you would be punished. Did you ever try to hide from them, because you didn’t have the courage to admit what you had done?

I think many do this when they have sinned, or when they are convicted of sin. People know in their hearts they are wrong, but perhaps they like the sin and cannot seem to break away from it. If we did not feel shame, that would be far more serious. But shame brings us to a Godly sorrow, a place where we know we are wrong, and must do something about it. "The change we yearn for is brought about by a process called repentance."

"Webster's dictionary defines the word repentance in the following manner: repentance: a repenting or being penitent; feeling of sorrow, etc., esp. for wrongdoing; compunction; contrition; remorse.
But the Greek term "metanoia" is better understood to mean a change of mind or heart."

The Bible talks about a repentant heart, which is a absolute must for anyone desiring to have the salvation of Jesus Christ.

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1 John 1:9

He that covers his sins shall not prosper, but whoso confesses and forsakes them [repentance] shall have mercy. Proverbs 28:13

Repentance is not just lip service, it is heart change. a turning away from our old sins, a desire to please God and a submission to his authority. It is a seeking of a new lifestyle and mind set in Christ. It is spiritual discipline, through submission to Christ, and walking in His light and truth.

I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. Galatians 2:20

So then we are new in Christ, bought with a price, the shed blood of Jesus upon the cross. WE ARE NO LONGER OUR OWN. We have to be mindful of this. We cannot just say we are saved and continue on a willful path of our own, ignoring God. This would be like crucifying Christ again.

To receive Jesus as your savior:

1.You must recognize you are a sinner, and need to repent. "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."(Romans 3:23)

2. You must recognize Jesus died for your sins, as the only begotten son of God (John 3:16) and because of his sacrifice and atonement on the cross, we can have forgiveness and cleansing of these sins if we repent and receive that salvation.

3.You must recognize that Jesus came in the flesh, to be a atonement for the sins of this earth. Pray to the Father God in the name of Jesus Christ. Ask his forgiveness for your sins and ask Him to be Lord and Savior of your life.

4.The next step is turning away with a truly repentant heart. We become a disciple, and a true follower of Christ; filling our heart with his word, and following his example upon this earth. We are new, not the same, new goals, new mind set, new hope, new thinking. To read his word shows us how to please God, and what His son Jesus taught upon this earth.

John 14:6 Jesus said: I am the way, the truth and the life, no man comes to the Father God, except through me.

Throughout the word the Messiah was predicted, who would come to save people from their sins.

And she will bring forth a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, and He will save his people from their sins: Matthew 1:21

And behold you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the SON OF THE MOST HIGHEST; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of the His Father David. Luke 1:32-32

Jesus fulfilled all the prophecies about the messiah, the only begotten son of God, sent to be a atonement for our sins. We must recognize this, receive it, live it, cling to it, share it, and walk in it daily.

NO COMPROMISE.

My friend, if you have not yet made a decision for Christ, and changed your life for him and repented, please do it today. Eternity hangs in the balance.

Jesus loves you and died for you. Receive his salvation, and find forgiveness and eternal life in him. Walk with him the rest of your life, you will never be alone or forsaken.

love always,
millie