Repentance: Part 3 - The Victory

Michael begins the final portion of his message pointing out that as Lot, nephew of Abraham, was fleeing Sodom and his wife turned around and "beheld" or cherished and considered fondly the city of Sodom, she turned into a pillar of salt.  "Beheld" is the same word used in Numbers about the children of Israel who "looked cherishingly" upon the bronze serpent. We must "gaze lovingly and cherishingly" at the cross of Christ for the supreme sacrifice for redemptive salvation that was paid there.  Sin was made a public spectacle upon the altar of the cross. Without the cross of Christ there is no victory over sin. Repentance is to turn from sin and toward the grace of God through the supreme sacrifice of the innocent blood of God’s Son Jesus Christ. Judgment always starts with the prophets warning the people. Then it spreads to the priests who speak to God on behalf of the people. If the people do not listen to the voices of the prophets and the priests and do not repent, then God's righteous judgment will follow.

Judgment is the spirit of wisdom and prudence, enabling a person to discern right and wrong, good and evil based upon the righteous statutes and commandments of God in justice and equity founded upon the doctrines of the gospel and/or the kingdom of grace in the God's word. Judgment Day is the final trial of the human race, when God will decide the fate of every individual, and award sentence according to justice.

Ecclesiastes 12:14 “For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil.”

Repentance according to the Word is to turn away from sin and toward God, followed by penitence, restitution and obedience. Part of repentance is to make restitution which means to "come clean”. Cleanse my heart O Lord, create in me a new heart. God will redeem us as we follow His heart through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Repentance becomes real when we seek to do His will from a cleansed and a pure heart of His righteousness. Restitution is to make it right with the two parties you have wronged, both man and God.

Matthew 5:23-24 “So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.

Repentance is the key to unlocking the healing and deliverance of God in our lives.  How do we make restitution to God for the sins we have committed against him?  The answer is in Romans 12:1, “I beseech ye therefore brethren that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice holy and acceptable unto him which is your reasonable and sanctified service. To make restitution to the people you have wronged, seek them out and ask them for forgiveness ... ask them how you can make it right. Repentance is to humble our hearts before the Lord, to turn from our wicked ways, to pray, and to seek his face. Then will he cleanse our hearts from all unrighteousness and we can walk in fellowship and communion (co-union) with Him.  Repentance is to turn away from the sinful God-rejecting world and unto Him ...  Turn your eyes upon Jesus; look full in his wonderful face; and the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of his wonder and grace. There is victory in Christ.

1 Corinthians 15:57 “Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

May God richly bless you!
Your brother in Christ, Michael