Luke 13:3 (LSB) 3 I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.
Welcome to day three of our series!
We have covered grace and mercy.
Today, we will discuss repentance.
Contrary to what many believe, repentance is more than simply feeling sorrow for our behavior or actions.
Repentance: a turning away from our old self and old ways.
Greek: metanoia
True repentance begins with a genuine feeling of remorse; remorse for what we have done, who we have been, and our sinful ways as a whole.
That remorse stirs us and causes us to desire God’s forgiveness. And it is that repentant heart that leads (opens the door) to repentance.
Without repentance, there is no forgiveness.
Luke 13:3, the verse above, was spoken by Jesus as He addressed the Jews.
In the latter part of Chapter 12, immediately prior to what He spoke in Luke 13:3, He reprimanded the crowd, and His disciples as well, for not discerning the times, and for not recognizing what was right in front of them.
And He warned them that if they did not repent, they would perish.
Likewise, in the book of Acts, Peter warned the Jews that they also must repent so their sins may be wiped away.
Acts 3:19 (LSB) 19 Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord;
Again, it is repentance that opens the door to forgiveness.
In summary, true repentance (metanoia) is a turning point; a place where we begin the process of forsaking our old self and embracing the man or woman God is transforming us into.
This transformation is whole, impacting us from head to toe, inside and out. Even our mind is renewed as we begin to shed and forsake the ways of the world, embracing instead the things of God.
This transformation cannot happen if we allow ourselves to continue to be enslaved to the ways of the world.
Romans 12:2 (NKJV) 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
Tomorrow we will continue as we discuss forgiveness.
Pastor Curt & Pastor Ellie
Seven Seas Ministries
49 N Lamplighters Walk
Hampstead, NC 28443
401-439-3780
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