2 Corinthians 7:10 “For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death.”
Continuing Pastor Kyle’s message from yesterday, (2) Secondly, godly repentance is remorse and mourning over rebellious sin, ignorance and poor choices while trying to obey, know truth and make better choices. We need to know the difference between “right” and “wrong” as defined by the Lord, learn from our mistakes and take deep personal inventory of our life. How do we measure up? God knows.
Hebrews 10:23-25 “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.”
(3) Thirdly, godly repentance is staying in a Christian-based support group who will direct us to God’s word and help us get out of our struggles. It is best to get the perspective from the people of God with reverential fear, remembering that only Christ is perfect and we support one another.
Pastor Kyle told us four ways that God honors genuine, lasting repentance. First, by honoring us like sons and daughters who have special privileges. Psalms 1–41says, “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper. The ungodly are not so, but are like the chaff which the wind drives away.
Secondly, by giving us hope when others find only despair. Every day is a new, fresh day. Choose righteousness, obedience, and hope in the rising of the sun each day.
Psalm 118:24 proclaims, “This is the day the Lord has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it.” Feel the freedom in Christ joyfully, remembering the seasons of the past. God’s grace is sufficient for us.
Thirdly, by giving us success over the long haul (even if it doesn’t look like it today). God will keep us advancing and moving forward, beyond yesterday’s pains and troubles, towards a future with a sure hope. Isaiah 40:31 reassures us that,“those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.” The eternal perspective is that at the end of the road is heaven.”
Fourthly, by using us to draw others to Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth and the Life. Nobody comes to the Father in Heaven, except by Him. We are to point others to forgiveness and salvation in Christ at the foot of the cross. The Great Physician heals our affliction, breaks the chains of slavery to sin, saves the soul, regenerates the spirit, and reconciles us to our heavenly Father. Honor God through your repentance and turn your heart to God.
In Christ, Brian
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