Posted on December 7, 2022 by Elizabeth Welte in Victory Call
Question: Are you willing to repent?
There it is. Right between the eyes. Sounds so simple, so fundamental, so basic.
Answer: Of course. That’s the right answer, right? What genuine believer of Jesus Christ would say no?
Stop.
I don’t want the “right” answer from your head. I want the answer you know is deep in your heart.
Are you willing to repent?
“For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death.” (2 Corinthians 7:10)
Feeling bad about our sin is not the same as repentance. Feeling bad doesn’t result in change. Feeling bad without appropriate change of behavior, attitude, and action is simply feeling bad and, according to 2 Corinthians 7:10, leads to death.
Merriam Webster on-line defines REPENT : “to feel or show that you are sorry for something bad or wrong that you did and that you want to do what is right”
According to this definition – feeling sorry for something bad or wrong you did and that you want to do what is right is sufficient to qualify as repentance.
I don’t want to nitpick but feeling and wanting are not the same as actually repenting – changing, making new choices, saying no to temptation, resisting, fighting, turning away from sin and turning towards God.
Are you willing to repent?
Sometimes we feel bad about our sin because we know it is wrong and yet we continue in it because we’re not quite ready to give it up yet. Any of this sound familiar?
Easton’s Bible Dictionary expresses the distinction between feeling bad and true repentance.
“The verb metamelomai is used of a change of mind, such as to produce regret or even remorse on account of sin, but not necessarily a change of heart. This word is used with reference to the repentance of Judas (Matt. 27:3). (2.) Metanoeo, meaning to change one’s mind and purpose, as the result of after knowledge. This verb, with (3) the cognate noun metanoia, is used of true repentance, a change of mind and purpose and life, to which remission of sin is promised.”
I ask again. Are you willing to repent?
Repentance is much more than a change in our behavior – although it includes that – it is a change of heart that results in a determined fleeing from sin and a passionate, intentional, determined, unwavering pursuit towards God.
Will we do it perfectly? No. Will we fail at times? Yes. Do we give up in despair? No. No. We get up, confess our sin, ask for and receive God’s forgiveness, remind our self of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the cross, the Blood, His love, His grace, His mercy, His forgiveness and move forward.
I have heard it said, “For every one look at our sin, take ten looks at Jesus and the cross.” A good practice to develop.
“The first of Martin Luther’s famous Ninety-five Theses was this: “When our Lord and Master Jesus Christ said, ‘Repent.’ He willed that the whole life of believers should be one of repentance. Each day we turn afresh in faith and repentance toward God. We rediscover our first love all over again so that we’re not tempted to engage in spiritual adultery. The key to continual and deeper spiritual renewal and revival is the continual re-discovery of the gospel. ”
I was preaching to myself today and thought I’d let you listen in.
Written by Diane Hunt: Diane Hunt serves on the board of America’s Keswick and is the Executive Director & CEO of Changed Choices, a Christian non-profit in North Carolina. She is also a biblical counselor and women’s event speaker. For more information about having Diane speak at your next event please contact her at dhunt@americaskeswick.org.
Think About This: “The next time you stumble, remember the powerful hand of God is holding your hand and walking you through life – all the way home.” – Joe Stowell
This Week’s Verse to Memorize: “It is like the precious oil upon the head, Running down on the beard, The beard of Aaron,
Running down on the edge of his garments.” Psalm 133:2
America's Keswick Christian Retreat and Conference Center
4.8
Based on 331 reviews
America's Keswick Christian Retreat and Conference Center
4.8
Sandra Salama
22:08 14 Jan 23
Amazing experience for people of all ages
Amerin Meric
19:17 14 Jan 23
Awesome place to gather with friends. Also has an excellent record for helping people out of alcoholism.
David Garzetta
01:46 11 Jan 23
Beautiful facility, caring individuals, good food
Alvin Abraham
22:22 08 Jan 23
This is a really nice Retreat center. The facilities are very nice, with beautiful scenery. Staff and all are really sweet and nice.Only negative I would say was the Food isn't very good.
Camilo Pereira
20:18 02 Jan 23
Great for gathering and worship The Lord
soyun chong
22:40 30 Dec 22
Very nice place for a church retreat. Kind employees, nice rooms and area
SuperKmess
21:45 27 Dec 22
great dinner and concert
E T Rahn
22:45 11 Dec 22
Great Christian retreat center
Carl Washington
01:46 05 Dec 22
When you enter the Grounds something just happens to your body and it's a beautiful thing.
Valery Alvaro
18:26 04 Dec 22
Amazing place. You can learn a lot about God here!
Ultron Prime
15:52 03 Dec 22
Wonderful place
Ellen Morris
22:55 10 Nov 22
All I know is the next step is heaven! We love America's Keswick's events...true, Christian experience & very gifted singers & musicians.
ruth vientos
18:53 05 Nov 22
Beautiful place,room nice and cozy, good food , you can walk around it's a lake and is beautiful, you can use the pit , we used for our petitions to God, really a nice place.
Andrew Burkart
01:45 01 Nov 22
A great place for a church retreat! The property is beautiful and makes for a great place to escape the city. A lot of opportunities for indoor and outdoor activities depending on what you are feeling.
Betty Rosales
14:55 15 Oct 22
Always , Always , Always peaceful and refreshing .Among the hurried and agitated ways of the world , it is necessary to come away and rest ! ! !Our Souls are in need of trusting our Saviour and allowing Him to be Lord of our lives .America's... Keswick affords the nature , creation to minister to us in a unique way 🙌God knows what we need and provides for our needs in a place that is quiet and safe 🕊️read more
Google Rating
4.8
Based on 331 reviews
America's Keswick Christian Retreat and Conference Center
4.8
Sandra Salama
22:08 14 Jan 23
Amazing experience for people of all ages
Amerin Meric
19:17 14 Jan 23
Awesome place to gather with friends. Also has an excellent record for helping people out of alcoholism.
David Garzetta
01:46 11 Jan 23
Beautiful facility, caring individuals, good food
Alvin Abraham
22:22 08 Jan 23
This is a really nice Retreat center. The facilities are very nice, with beautiful scenery. Staff and all are really sweet and nice.Only negative I would say was the Food isn't very good.
Camilo Pereira
20:18 02 Jan 23
Great for gathering and worship The Lord
soyun chong
22:40 30 Dec 22
Very nice place for a church retreat. Kind employees, nice rooms and area
SuperKmess
21:45 27 Dec 22
great dinner and concert
E T Rahn
22:45 11 Dec 22
Great Christian retreat center
Carl Washington
01:46 05 Dec 22
When you enter the Grounds something just happens to your body and it's a beautiful thing.
Valery Alvaro
18:26 04 Dec 22
Amazing place. You can learn a lot about God here!
Ultron Prime
15:52 03 Dec 22
Wonderful place
Ellen Morris
22:55 10 Nov 22
All I know is the next step is heaven! We love America's Keswick's events...true, Christian experience & very gifted singers & musicians.
ruth vientos
18:53 05 Nov 22
Beautiful place,room nice and cozy, good food , you can walk around it's a lake and is beautiful, you can use the pit , we used for our petitions to God, really a nice place.
Andrew Burkart
01:45 01 Nov 22
A great place for a church retreat! The property is beautiful and makes for a great place to escape the city. A lot of opportunities for indoor and outdoor activities depending on what you are feeling.
Betty Rosales
14:55 15 Oct 22
Always , Always , Always peaceful and refreshing .Among the hurried and agitated ways of the world , it is necessary to come away and rest ! ! !Our Souls are in need of trusting our Saviour and allowing Him to be Lord of our lives .America's... Keswick affords the nature , creation to minister to us in a unique way 🙌God knows what we need and provides for our needs in a place that is quiet and safe 🕊️read more