By Sidharth Mohandas
Introduction
Justin has very clearly presented to you the truth that repentance is not bound by feelings. In other words, you and I can have tears running down our cheeks and still not be repentant. In this post I’d like to take you a step forward into seeing repentance as a way of life.
A Place of Agreement
Abba has called us to a walk of transparency with Him. We can’t walk in darkness and claim to have fellowship with Him. Therefore, Abba always waits for us to come to the point of truth. Scripture says, if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. [1 John 1:9]. The Greek word for “confess” here simply means “to say the same thing as another” or “to agree with”. We must reach a place where we come in complete agreement with Him as to what He calls sin as. “But isn’t he more wrong than I am!”… Without coming to this fundamental place of agreement, no man can proceed into the things of God.
“Can two walk together, except they be agreed?” (Amos 3:3)
Repentance to Faith
Jesus came saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the Gospel” [Mark 1:14-15].
Of course, this was a call for the people to turn to the living God from their sinful lifestyle, but much more than just that, Jesus was saying, “Change your mind-set and your mentality, folks! Be kingdom-minded!”
We need to change our mentality as to how the kingdom of God functions and the changes its reign will bring about in our lives. We can’t live this new life we have in Him with the old mind-set.
Scripture instructs us 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 God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Living in a world like ours exposes us to much information coming to us through various sources like the TV, newspaper, class lectures, friends, internet, songs and so forth. And it is very likely that our minds can get affected by these. It is even possible that these can change our attitude towards the things of God. This is the very reason why repentance or renewal of the mind must be a way of life.
But how do we practically do this? It is by maintaining an attitude of hope that God’s Word has to offer us.
We must put on….hope of salvation as a helmet [1 Thess 5:8].
Without hope, it is absolutely impossible to have faith, for faith is the assurance of things hoped for [Heb 11:1]. This involves training our minds to see things from an eternal perspective.
Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. [Colossians 3:2]
The Bible instructs us to turn our attention from that which is natural to that which is spiritual, from that which is visible to the invisible. In other words, God’s call of repentance is a call to move from the realm of the senses to the realm of faith...
We walk by faith, not by sight. [2 Cor 5:7].
Bill Johnson writes in his book: “Faith is founded on the superior reality of that which is invisible. Unbelief is founded on the inferior reality of that which is visible.”
In the upcoming posts iM members Titto and Nathan will be taking you into this Kingdom life called faith. Be blessed!
Sid , this is a great post especially as it has ministered to me on a personal level and I must highlight the messages I received from the above post
repentance or renewal of the mind must be a way of life. . . I believe we should ask for forgiveness daily to avoid spiritual pollution
Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. . . what God wants you to have might not be what you want but you have to accept it if you must walk in agreement to His Holy Will
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 God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. . . in time you will see that His perfect will is the best and will always be the best for you and me. . . His Awesomeness is always to be remembered!
I love this
Godbless you Imrah Team
I agree; repentance means to “turn” to God and His ways.
briliant stuff brother
Such a great post! This is such a challenge, to walk in this repentance day by day. I think it also comes out of an encounter with the love and holiness of God. Thank you.