Question? When you hear the word Repentance what do you think of?
All my life I’ve always heard that repentance is going in the other direction, than you were going before.
Just this week my husband and I heard a message about what true repentance is, that had us want to give it more thought and further study.
Of course, we knew because of the Holy Spirit that repentance meant, inorder to be better or do better, there had to be a change of thought.(Ephesians 4:22-23)that ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; and be renewed in the spirit of your mind;
And, that whatever brought you to the point of repentance had to be acknowledged, dealt with, and placed on Jesus so you would never find yourself in that position again. (1 peter 5:7)casting all your cares [all your anxieties, all your worries, and all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares about you [with deepest affection, and watches over you very carefully]. To cast means to throw, fling, send, or drive from, by force, And this is what Jesus wants us to do. He wants us to carry NOTHING!!
Whoever knew that the mind changing part was the actual repentance, and not the turning? Not me…. I was always taught by a Pastor that it was the action of turning and never returning to that thing again, that was the true part of repentance, not the new thought, not the renewing of the mind(Isaiah 55:8)For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. I had to learn that by the Holy Spirit.
Even though, repentance does not mean to change direction and turn. The turning part is just the result of the repentance, but not what repentance is.
Repentance is a change of mind, a shift of understanding, and consideration, and awareness that empowers you to change direction.
Once your mind is changed and renewed to God’s Word, your direction must change! In fact, it will change!
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
(Romans 12:2)
Can you ponder on that scripture for a moment….that scripture says our mind has to be changed before our life can be changed. It’s only when you begin to meditate on God’s Word, you’ll notice it birthing a change in your thoughts, your perception, your overall view of that specific thing you’re renewing your mind to, that you’ll begin to grow in understanding, grow in the love God has for you, and in the fruit of repentance that graces you with His character. Just know that with Godly thoughts infiltrating your mind, only one thing can happen, and that is change. Amen!
Isn’t it something how the focus of a thing is to try and get another to change direction, but not change their way of thinking? How do they think one is supposed to function differently and be persuaded differently without clear direction in the correct steps to do so? You Can’t!!(Philippians 4:8) Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
The danger of that spoken about above, is this. If your mind isn’t changed, you’ll walk like everyone else. If the mind isn’t changed you’ll possibly find yourself right back in the same position with the same outcome. It’s a guarantee!
Let the words of the Lord help you out, repentance itself starts in the mind (on God’s Word), unfolds in the heart by (believing it and meditating on it), and the results are shown in your actions! (walking in it). Now that’s some Revelation Knowledge for you!!
What follows in action is not only the repentance, but the fruit of repentance, that’s going to produce immeasurable results.
Repentance is an inward matter, a mind heart connection, that truly yields to the fruit of change, and is worth residing and abiding in, which is God’s truth revealed by the Holy Spirit Himself. Amen! (John 14:26)But the Holy Spirit will come and help you, because the Father will send the Spirit to take my place. The Spirit will teach you everything and will remind you of what I said while I was with you.
Please grasp this,. To declare (speak) repentance for sin is simply not enough!
Turning from the sin and not repenting of it first is backwards. In God and with God there will always be order, and His order is not backwards, but is dealt with only in truth and clarity, and this is why, if you have not renewed your mind, and truly turned from that sin, and continue to walk as if that part of your mindset is unchanged, you will be on a revolving mountain that continues to go around and around. Why? Because without change there comes no new action! Plain and simple!
If repentance means to change your mind and, the action is to turn around to head in a new direction, then that only means that the change is genuine and it will bear fruit. And, what is that fruit? The character of God! His mind, His thoughts, His way of doing things! Amen..
In (Matthew 3:8) John tells the Pharisees and Sadducees that their repentance must bear fruit.
Brothers and Sisters in Christ, please know that (True Repentance) is not surface deep but heart deep, not word driven, but action driven, and will always involve a change of thought, attitude, and behavior! Amen..
Remember that partial repentance only forms a revolving circle you’ll find yourself right back in…
Be Blessed….
