The Evidence of True Repentance

 Therefore also now, saith the Lord, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning: And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the Lord your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil.  

Joel 2:12-13  

True repentance is truly a gift of God.  It’s what He equips us with to help us stay in perfect alignment with Him.  “In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;” 2 Timothy 2:25  

In the dictionary repentance is defined as the action of repenting; sincere regret or remorse.  

ü It’s also defined as the action or process of repenting especially for misdeeds or moral shortcomings. 

ü It’s also defined as a summons to a personal, absolute and ultimate unconditional surrender to God as Sovereign. Though it includes sorrow and regret, it’s more than that.

Our tears, though they may be sincere is not the action that God is looking for when it comes to repentance.  If it’s not crying or sobbing, what are marks or evidences of true repentance in our, the believers’ life?  We’ve all seen people who claim to follow Jesus but are lacking the fruits that prove the reality of their faith.  They do and say things that are not God-worthy.

Repentance is "an inward decision or change of mind that results in the outward action of turning from sin to God and righteousness."

It’s easy to make a claim or to have a profession of faith – we just open up our mouth and speak it – but how does one know if it’s a reality? We may not always know, but God does.  Jesus said in Matthew 7:21-23 that many would come in his name claiming to have a relationship with him but He replied, “Depart from me you workers of iniquity I never knew you.” They had the talk but not the walk!  And even if they have the walk, it doesn’t match the inner motives of their heart.  Tainted fruit is being developed.

We can see this with John the Baptist’s and also with Apostle Paul’s teaching. John the Baptist said regarding repentance: . . . when he saw the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to watch him baptize, he denounced them . . . “Who warned you to flee the coming wrath? Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God.  Don’t just say to each other, ‘We’re safe, for we’re descendants of Abraham.’ That means nothing, for I tell you, God can create children of Abraham from these very stones. Even now the ax of God’s judgment is poised, ready to sever the roots of the trees. . . every tree that doesn’t produce good fruit will be chopped down and thrown into the fire. Matthew 3:7-10

Notice, John the Baptist, in commanding repentance, didn’t say just simply “confess” or make a declaration; prove it through your actions. True repentance always has the corresponding fruits. Apostle Paul said the same thing:

. . . that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.  Acts 26:20

Apostle Paul preached the need to repent, but like John, he also preached the necessity of proving one’s repentance. It’s not enough just to confess; confession has to be followed by the proper works.  

Let’s look at what was going on with the children of Israel after their exile In the book of Nehemiah, there was a revival happening they were not just returning to their homeland, they were also being reacquainted to God. In chapter 8, the people listened and responded to Ezra’s reading and teaching of the Word of God. In chapter 9, the people put on sackcloth and ashes and repented of their sins and the sins of their fathers. They repented by renewing their covenant with God and committing to prove their repentance by their deeds. They started by acknowledging the sovereignty of God:

Now therefore, our God, The great, the mighty, and awesome God, Who keeps covenant and mercy: Then they openly confessed their sin:  But we’ve done wickedly.  Neither our kings nor our princes, Our priests nor our fathers, Have kept Your law, Nor heeded Your commandments and Your testimonies, With which You testified against them. For they have not served You in their kingdom.  They spoke of bondage to their captors: Because of our sins; Also they have dominion over our bodies and our cattle At their pleasure; And we’re in great distress.   And lastly, they recommitted themselves to God:  And because of all this, We make a sure covenant and write it; Our leaders, our Levites, and our priests seal it.” Nehemiah 9:32-38 

They made a commitment to God by renewing the Mosaic covenant. Eighty-four leaders of the community signed a document—a binding agreement. This document showed the priorities of their commitment to God. Even though we’re not a part of Israel’s Mosaic customs and traditions, we, as believers, should have the same commitments to turn back to God. These same fruits will prove the reality of our repentance and relationship with God.

So what are the fruits; the marks of true repentance? What commitments did Israel make in this chapter as a fruit of their repentance? Read Nehemiah 9:32-38

How can we practice true repentance in our lives?  One of the things they did was hear the word of God, as should we, and commit it to our hearts and then apply it to our lives.  So #1 is:

√       True Repentance Includes a Commitment to God’s Word

And the rest of the people, -  separated themselves from the people of the lands unto the law of God, their wives, their sons, and their daughters, every one having knowledge, and having understanding;  They clave to their brethren, their nobles, and entered into a curse, and into an oath, to walk in God's law, which was given by Moses the servant of God, and to observe and do all the commandments of the Lord our Lord, and his judgments and his statutes;  Nehemiah 10:28-29

What is the primary focus of this covenant community as seen in the signed document? The primary focus was to submit to the law of God. Israel had disobeyed God’s covenant.   

So in this document, they renewed their commitment to God’s Word. They had faith to believe in God and His word and they committed to follow God’s Word.

Faith as part of the bearing fruit action is a very important aspect of true repentance.  Jesus taught that practicing God’s Word is proof of true faith in the Sermon on the Mount. He taught that there are two types of people who listen to his words. The one who listened and built the foundation of his house on these words, and his house stood in the storm. But, the other one didn’t build his house on Jesus’ words, and his house was destroyed. He said:  “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it didn’t fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and doesn’t put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand.  Matthew 7:24-26

It’s very easy for us to look at the Scripture and say with awe, “No one ever spoke like this” as those in John 7:46 did, when listening to Jesus, and yet not submit to Him. It’s also possible for us to pick and choose what we like about the Scriptures instead of submitting to the whole counsel of it.

Apostle John said the same thing as Jesus [John 14:15]:  “We know that we’ve come to know him if we obey his commands. The man who says, ‘I know him,’ but doesn’t do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him” 1 John 2:3-4

If we’re not committed to God’s Word and following it, we’re not truly saved and our repentance is false.

Faith and true repentance recognize Scripture as God’s Word and commits to studying it and submitting to it. This should be the focus of the believer’s life, and it’s evidence or the fruit of true repentance.

Israel renewed their covenant to follow the laws of God which demonstrated true repentance. Do we need to renew our covenant to God’s Word as well?

Here’s a look in the mirror question:  What are your thoughts about commitment to knowing and obeying God’s Word as a proof of genuine repentance?  #2:

√       True Repentance Includes a Commitment to Fearing God

They clave to their brethren, their nobles, and entered into a curse, and into an oath, to walk in God's law, which was given by Moses the servant of God, and to observe and do all the commandments of the Lord our Lord, and his judgments and his statutes;  Nehemiah 10:29

Not only did they commit to following God’s Word but they also put themselves under a curse if they failed to follow it. In those days when people made covenants, they would often slay an animal and walk through the parts of the animal. By doing this they were saying, “Let this happen to me if I don’t fulfill what I have committed to.” This is what God did in confirming his covenant with Abraham in Genesis 15. He walked through the cut-up bodies of animals, committing to fulfill his covenant with Abraham.

God had essentially promised Israel that if they didn’t obey His words, he would severely discipline them. He said:  Do not turn aside from any of the commands I give you today, to the right or to the left, following other gods and serving them. However, if you do not obey the LORD your God and do not carefully follow all his commands and decrees I am giving you today, all these curses will come upon you and overtake you: You will be cursed in the city and cursed in the country. Your basket and your kneading trough will be cursed. The fruit of your womb will be cursed, and the crops of your land, and the calves of your herds and the lambs of your flocks. You will be cursed when you come in and cursed when you go out. The LORD will send on you curses, confusion and rebuke in everything you put your hand to, until you are destroyed and come to sudden ruin because of the evil you have done in forsaking him.  Deuteronomy 28:14-20

By binding themselves to the curse, they recognized that God was faithful to his words and that he would curse, discipline, and even destroy them for disobedience.   What are you trying to say Pastor Candy? The fear of the Lord should still be a motivating factor in our lives. “Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling.”   Philippians 2:12

We should fear because God is a God of discipline.  “Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.”  2 Corinthians 7:1

We must remember God killed Ananias and Sapphira for lying about their offering in Acts 5. God brought sickness and death to some of those who were abusing the Lord’s Supper in 1 Corinthians 11:26-32. God is still a God of discipline.

And ultimately, it’s good to remember that even though we’re not under the law, we’re still bound by the spiritual principle of “sowing and reaping” which God oversees. We will reap what we sow, whether in this life or after.  Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.  Galatians 6:7-8  

When the Israelites were recommitting, they recommitted not only to the Word of God but to fearing the Lord, which should be a sobering motivation for all believers  “the Lord disciplines those he loves.”   Hebrews 12:6

Discipline is a major aspect of our sanctification, and we should recognize this everyday as we’re confronted with temptation and opportunities to sin.

As believers, we’re called to “speak the truth in love” [Ephesians 4:15]. That means we must love people deeply, but we’re not called to redefine sin so that nobody feels uncomfortable. Understand:  

v Love doesn’t require us to affirm everything we see and hear that is wrong  

v Just as grace doesn’t require us to ignore repentance.  

v And compassion doesn’t require us to compromise conviction.

The Bible says, “Be ye holy; for I am holy” [1 Peter 1:16]. It also reminds us that “all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.”  [Romans 3:23]. So this is not about pointing at one group of people as if anyone is beyond the need of grace. This is about acknowledging that all of us need repentance, mercy, and transformation.

Truth be told, none of us can live in an unrepentant state and expect God to adjust His Word around our comfort. Jesus said, “Repent ye, and believe the gospel” [Mark 1:15]. And Romans 6:1–2 asks, “Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid.”  

- continued

Presentation of Faith

 

 But as it’s written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.  
1 Corinthians 2:9

We’ll never know the things that God has in store for us or the things that God has prepared for us or purposed for us unless and until we put our faith squarely in Him and take that first step of faith.  We can’t even imagine!  

 This isn’t just the blessings or the material things that come from trusting God, but this is in our spiritual journey with God, we’ll never know or experience the fullness, the weight or the depth of our purpose in God without a promotion of faith.  Despite the severity of our personal situations or the uncertainty of the current situation of this country in which we live or, indeed. the world today, we have to stick to the task and the journey at hand.  We step out as far as God directs us and then we allow Him to take over.  In other words, whatever God says do, we do it – to the T – then watch Him work.  Nothing more; nothing less.

When I read the passage of scripture found in Ezekiel 47:1-5 & 9, where Ezekiel is being lead through the waters by God, it makes me see how far the church has drifted from God and how close it has come to the world – we’re doing the exact opposite.  Sadly, the church – as a whole – has slid so far from the narrow path that we’re looking for and seeking things that God never intended.  We’re striving for fame and fortune; for our name to be in bright lights; it’s not enough to have a comfortable life style anymore, we want more and more.  There was a time when we would be distracted by ‘not enough; the lack of’ but now it’s ‘I have enough but I want more, I deserve more’; even when it comes to the things of God.  I know I’m going to lose friends and make enemies when I tell you that God didn’t and doesn’t save us for bright lights and an entourage; a mansion and 10 cars and maybe a jet, Hollywood status fame.  But in many places, that is what it’s come down to.  That mindset is not God-worthy; it doesn’t support the standards of God and it certainly does not magnify God or bring Him glory; it actually does the opposite.  People no longer see God, they see you!  We have to get back to the straight path.  We choose our way and run with it; we don’t wait for God to lead us.  We don’t read in the text where Ezekiel questioned God as to the route he was being led or suggest a different way; he followed as God led him. The best we do is hope that God blesses us along the way.  The more ‘woke’ the world becomes – blatantly giving in to what Apostle Paul refers to as the works of the flesh – it seems as if the more the church slumbers as if we don’t see what’s going on.  But as heirs to the kingdom, as God’s children – as the body of Christ – we have to wake up to God; be focused on Him and His will and promote our faith in God and His word.

Because God gave us His spirit, we ought to do more than have a superficial relationship with Him.   It can't just be Sunday morning worship experience, a prayer here, a prayer there. Those things are good, but we

  Ø must be equipped to go deeper in God;

  Ø must have faith that defies human understanding;

  Ø faith that goes totally beyond what we think could happen;

  Ø must know when God has called us to do something He has already given us the ability              to do it or paved the way to do it.

We can’t doubt God or the ability that He places in us.  We can’t waver in our belief.  Double mindedness will keep us in the shallow place and not allow us to launch out into the deep.  Fragmented loyalty shatters our trajectory and leaves us dizzy and confused.  “A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.”  James 1:8

When God has complete control, we can't leave until our assignment is done, we can’t become distracted with the thoughts and ways of the world, our flesh or the enemy.

When God is leading us, He doesn't leave us where we are.  He beckons us to follow His lead.  No more can we settle for being average and mediocre, shining dull lights. 

If ever there was a time to take on His nature and characteristics especially in our dealings with situations and people, it’s now!  We have to learn to forgive even as Christ Jesus forgives us and instructs.  There’s something about being associated with God that transforms everything about us.  “For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” Matthew 6:14-15 

       √       Allow our self to grow up in God.  When we don't get to a place where we can forgive people, we limit our own growth in God.  When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 1 Corinthians 13:11

In that same manner, we need to grow up spiritually by putting away the childish things like allowing our flesh to minister to us and manage us, carnality, worldly influences and standards that stunt our growth and keep us in a child-like state spiritually.     

       √     Don't go to hell from the church.  Again, church attendance, paying tithes, being a part of ministries doesn’t guarantee our entrance into heaven.  There must be demonstration of our faith unto God by obedience to His will.

Yes, we all start in Christ as babes, we start with the sincere milk of the word as Peter tells us:  “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:” 1 Peter 2:2
so that we can grow and tolerate the meat of the word.   I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, . . . 1 Corinthians 3:2
But as a babe, taking in the milk, we can be observant of those that are living by the meat.  We drink the milk and observe those that are living out the word of God.  Think about the infant; the toddler that observes the parent and begins to imitate the parent’s actions.  My prayer is that the parent is giving the child a good example to follow and likewise, those that have spiritual maturity are setting good examples for the spiritual babes behind us.   The bible says:  “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,” Hebrews 12:1 
       √       Don't let getting outside of God's will cause you to leave prematurely.  God is saying come on up higher, lose your control and let Him have control.  We have to be careful to be clothed in God; in His holy Spirit everywhere, we go.  Our presentation must be God-worthy at all times.

That’s promoting our faith; rather it be ankle, knee or waist deep – Lord I don’t know where you’re leading me today, but I’m ready.  Just look at Jesus, as a child; in a temple teaching for hours; doing something that had not previously been done by a child.  But the leading of the Holy Spirit will have you doing and saying things that on your own, you either thought were impossible or you just never saw yourself doing!  Things that even those closest to you may not be aware, like Jesus’ family.  The bible says about the child Jesus, having discourse on the word in the temple:  But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day's journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance. And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him. And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions.  Luke 2:44-46

He did this without any acknowledgment to his parents.  We can’t be afraid to step out in faith and believe that God will work with us and through us.  Have faith to make that life altering step that will change you and cause you to spring forth.  It's hard – not impossible – It's hard to come into contact with God and still be the same.  Remember the woman with the issue of blood  [Luke 8:43-48]  - that contact she had with Jesus changed her life – made the impossible possible:  And he said unto her, Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace. 

If we believe to the point that we have all the confidence in the world in God, then we’ll do    anything and everything God tells us to do.

  

King David is an excellent example of someone launching out in faith against all of the obstacles that had beset Him.  We find this account in 1 Samuel 30.  His entire camp had been burned down, the wives and children taken.  The men that he commanded upset and thinking about stoning David.  The bible says that as distraught as he was over what had happened, he encouraged himself in God and he consulted God as to what he should do.  Spiritual maturity; he didn’t let his flesh minister to him.  God tells him to pursue but not who to pursue.  Without question, David got his men together and headed out.  When I tell you to trust God that He can and does do far more than we can even begin to imagine.  God put in David’s path a young servant that had been discarded by his master who witnessed everything that had happened and was able to tell David exactly where to find the Amalekites.  The bible says:  And David smote them from the twilight even unto the evening of the next day: and there escaped not a man of them, save four hundred young men, which rode upon camels, and fled.  And David recovered all that the Amalekites had carried away: and David rescued his two wives.  And there was nothing lacking to them, neither small nor great, neither sons nor daughters, neither spoil, nor any thing that they had taken to them: David recovered all 1 Samuel 30:17-19

The point here is that David stepped out in faith; not knowing who he was looking for or where they were but knowing that since God said pursue, He was going to be victorious.  God doesn’t set us up for failure!

Get a desire for the things of God.  Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.  Psalms 37:4-5

Despite what our inner man may tell us, because we savor the things of God, we’ll do what He asks of us, we’ll obey His commandments as written in His word.  We’ll do that instead of what we choose to do, we’ll do what God tells us to do.  This includes doing those things that may not be popular to our friends, family or acquaintances – those things that show us as peculiar treasures of God! 

Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: Exodus 19:5

Remember, there's nothing wrong with being peculiar. Peculiar is not strange; peculiar is being uniquely different because we have something on the inside working in and through us.  So, it’s okay to present our faith and be that peculiar treasure that God called us to be.
Remember, if we refuse to be as God calls us to be, we’re no different than those people that we read about in the bible who believed in God but because they feared the Pharisees, they kept it secret, so they wouldn’t be ostracized by the assembly of the Jews. They loved the glory that men could give them rather than the glory that came from God!
 
"Nevertheless even among the rulers many believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God."  John 12:42

But, when we savor the things of God above the things of this world or people’s opinions, we can freely move forward.  Not only that, our focus should be on the eternal things of God and not the temporal things of this world.  Yes, we know that the world is in a horrible state but we should set our focus on the eternal things of God and not the temporal things of this world.  We know that the world is in a horrible state but we should not be surprised about it.  The word of God expressly informs us of end time behavior of this world. 

Just as there is end time behavior upon us, we need to be in end time behavior through our prayers, praise, worship and faithfulness to do the will of God. Talk about understanding the times; the world has most definitely upped it’s evilness, and likewise so must the body of Christ up our presentation of faith toward God!  We can’t get so caught up in the things of the world that we lose focus on who is sovereign.

Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.   Colossians 3:2

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