Proverbs 28:13 NKJV
“He who covers his sins will not prosper, But whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.”
Beloved,
Sin is a godless activity. We are born into it, and it is the life we lived, consciously or not, before we are presented with the gospel and made the decision to surrender our lives to Jesus and be born again. Giving our lives to Christ starts with revelation. The Holy Spirit, in His mercy, reveals to us that Jesus Christ is Lord. God is our Creator and Heavenly Father, and Giver of life and truth; and that He is ready to help us overcome the power of sin and death (Romans 8:2). The Holy Spirit leads us to the acknowledgement of our sin, moves us to the place of repentance, and helps us to declare Jesus as Lord.
In this series we will clearly define sin and explain the force of repentance. What is repentance? True repentance is the antithesis of sin. It is both a decision and an experience that takes place whenever our human nature meets divinely provided revelation of the truth and an understanding of our sinful behavior and why it is problematic, and it is followed up by a yearning for behavioral change. Repentance is a matter of the heart. It is the heart that must change; then, behavior changes subsequently. Every repentance begins a new relationship with God. Hebrews 6 says this:
Hebrews 6:1 NKJV
Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God,
Repentance leads to purification, which leads to perfection. Acts 20, Paul testifies …
Acts 20:21-23 NKJV
[21] testifying to Jews, and also to Greeks, repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. [22] And see, now I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there, [23] except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me.
Beloved, if you have been privileged to hear this great gospel, the very gospel that Christ Himself is and laid His life down for, do not forsake the indwelling of the Holy Ghost. He will help you in your infirmities. He will help you take every step in the right direction and comfort you. But He will start with leading you to the place of repentance. Do not ignore Him! Repent and draw closer to God. Do not limit yourself to a life of sin, let alone one of secret sin. We will look into this further next time.
I commend you to God and to the word of His grace.
I call you blessed. I call you NATIONS.
