Luke 13:3 I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.
Yesterday, we discussed the two requirements God has for His children: Repentance and Faith. The two go hand in hand like Grace and Mercy. You can’t have one without the other. To be a child of God you must repent but no one will truly repent and turn from their wicked ways without faith in God.
When a lost soul is convicted by the Holy Spirit of their sin, deep down inside they feel Him tugging at their heart. This is the Holy Spirit tugging at them to repent of their sins. God wants to change them and set their feet on the path of Righteousness.
When that person recognizes that it is God doing the tugging they have stepped into faith. God gives every person a measure of faith. For I say, through the Grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. (Romans 12:3)
This measure of faith we are all created with is enough faith for us to be Saved and born again. It’s enough faith to believe God is real. From there we must surrender ourselves to God and our faith will grow. With everything we surrender to God, He will urge us to repent of the sin that is associated with it. When we admit to the sin and ask God to forgive us of that sin, He will. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)
Confession is not repentance. Repentance is to turn from that sin and stop doing it. God wants us to commit to His Ways. He is not going to change and condone sin. Whatever was a sin when Jesus walked this Earth is still a sin today. God does not change and He is not going to change just because people want Him to. This is a big problem with much of the Church today.
Christianity is a lifestyle of Repentance and Faith which leads to Righteous living. Although we will never reach total perfection in this life, God wants us to keep growing in Faith. Whatever sin you are dealing with right now, Jesus already dealt with it on the Cross 2,000 years ago. That sin has no power over you. The only power it has over you is that which you have given it. Whatever it is, Jesus took it to the Cross with Him.
When He said, It is finished. (John 19:30) the power of that sin was defeated by Him. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil. (1 John 3:8) Whatever the enemy continues to attack you with, BELIEVE Jesus defeated it on the Cross of Calvary. You can believe it because it is true and that TRUTH will set you free from that sin. The Truth will make you free. (John 8:32)
Faith in Christ Crucified will……….turn the tide
Thank you Jesus, Doreen
www.bettsministries.org