REPENTANCE & CONFESSION (4)

(Message by Tanny Keng)

1. Repentance

a) At the heart of the message of Jesus is the fact that we are hopelessly lost and need a Savior to make things right between God and us. All of mankind is lost and since Adam, had been born with a sin nature that needs fixing. Our natural instinct is to sin…to do the wrong thing time after time (see Paul’s thoughts in Romans 7-8) even when our motives are good. Fortunately, God has made the provision and perfect sacrifice for us in sending Jesus to come to this earth and to be crucified on a cross. This is the greatest story ever told. Jesus made the way for us in dying for our sins but we need to accept His free gift and acceptance of the gift of salvation involves repentance.

b) A simple definition of repentance is turning from the way we are going and to go the other way. It is like doing a 180 degree turn in our lives. It is an acknowledgement that we are sinners and that we need a Savior. One of the clearest pictures of this message came in the person of John the Baptist, the cousin of Jesus and forerunner of the Messiah. His message was simply, “Repent and be baptized.” He simply told people that they were lost and in need of repentance. This message has not changed since that time. We still need repentance because as the book of Romans says, “There is none righteous, no not one.” 

2. Confession 

2 Peter 3:9 
The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.

Revelation 2:5 
Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lamp stand from its place, unless you repent.

Revelation 3:3 
Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent. If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you. 


The End ...

Comments