Repentance in the Life of the Believer by Ann-Louise
“Holy, holy, holy” “More holy than the holiest holiness” - Isaiah 6:3 NIV, CJB
We tend to think of repentance simply in the context of salvation. While repentance is certainly required for salvation, it is also vital in the life of those who have been redeemed. As believers, those who have been saved from the curse and penalty of sin, we need to examine our own hearts and come before the throne of grace with repentant hearts. Our security in Christ is no excuse to return to or continue in sin. We must remember that the God we serve is ‘holy, holy, holy. We must walk before Him in righteousness.
Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.(1 Peter 1:16, KJV)
True repentance is much more then simply feeling badly because we got caught, and much more than merely a momentary sadness over sin. Merriam-Webster's dictionary defines the word 'repent' as:
1: to turn from sin and dedicate oneself to the amendment of one's life
2 a: to feel regret or contrition
b: to change one's mind
The Apostle Paul said of the Thessalonian church that they "turned to God from idols, to serve the true God" (1 Thess. 1:9, CJB). True repentance is marked by change - a change of heart, a change of mind, a change of life. As John the Baptist said, “Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance” (Luke 3:8, KJV).
When was the last time you heard a preacher proclaiming that God is 'more holy than the holiest holiness'? How long has it been since you heard a sermon brought against the sins of your congregation? When was the last time you were exhorted to separate yourselves from the ways of the world? How often do we hear a call from our pulpits to repent?
Many believers have a "looking good theology." They clean up real good on Sunday morning and make a good show by their manner of dress and speech. But, they neglect the one thing God desires most of His own. He says, "Be ye holy; for I am holy". Holiness goes far beyond how we appear to others. Holiness is first and foremost, a purity of heart, mind and spirit, which is then reflected in our lives. The Pharisees looked pretty good outwardly, yet Jesus called them a generation of vipers (Matt 3:7, 12:24, 23:33).
As followers of the God who is 'more holy than the holiest holiness,' we are not called to wear garments the Pharisees, we are called to be clothed in robes of righteousness. God says, "strip off your old nature, because your old nature is thoroughly rotted by its deceptive desires; and you must let your spirits and minds keep being renewed, and clothe yourselves with the new nature created to be godly, which expresses itself in the righteousness and holiness that flow from the truth." (Eph. 4:22-24, CJB).
Holiness is a continual process, not a one time event. The passage above urges us to "keep being renewed" so that we will live in "the righteousness and holiness that flow from the truth." How is this accomplished? It does not come to us automatically on the day we repent and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation. As Paul said we must examine ourselves. "Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you?" (2 Cor. 13:5 NIV)
A few questions to consider in the process of self examination:
- Do I choose to always seek God first above all else?
- Does my day begin with God, or the cares of this world?
- What do I cherish in my heart more than Him?
- Do I long to spend time alone with my God?
- Do I treasure His Word in my heart?
- What is it that I spend more time thinking about than my Savior?
- When troubles come, who do I turn to first for help?
More importantly, we must submit daily to God's examination of our hearts and motives, in the light of His holiness. "Examine me, God, and know my heart; test me, and know my thoughts." (Psalm 139:23 CJB)
If we truly want to walk in holiness before Him who is more holy than the holiest holiness, we must repent, turning away from the sins and cares of this world that we have allowed to soil our garments of righteousness. We must repent, turning our back on our former sins and turn to the true and living God. We must ask Him to cleanse us and create in us a clean heart, as David did, as recorded in Psalm 51.
Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.
Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanseme from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.
Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.
Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me. Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.
Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.
Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.
Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.
Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.
Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.
Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness.
O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise.
For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering.
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.
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“Holy, holy, holy” “More holy than the holiest holiness” - Isaiah 6:3 NIV, CJB
We tend to think of repentance simply in the context of salvation. While repentance is certainly required for salvation, it is also vital in the life of those who have been redeemed. As believers, those who have been saved from the curse and penalty of sin, we need to examine our own hearts and come before the throne of grace with repentant hearts. Our security in Christ is no excuse to return to or continue in sin. We must remember that the God we serve is ‘holy, holy, holy. We must walk before Him in righteousness.
Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.(1 Peter 1:16, KJV)
True repentance is much more then simply feeling badly because we got caught, and much more than merely a momentary sadness over sin. Merriam-Webster's dictionary defines the word 'repent' as:
1: to turn from sin and dedicate oneself to the amendment of one's life
2 a: to feel regret or contrition
b: to change one's mind
The Apostle Paul said of the Thessalonian church that they "turned to God from idols, to serve the true God" (1 Thess. 1:9, CJB). True repentance is marked by change - a change of heart, a change of mind, a change of life. As John the Baptist said, “Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance” (Luke 3:8, KJV).
When was the last time you heard a preacher proclaiming that God is 'more holy than the holiest holiness'? How long has it been since you heard a sermon brought against the sins of your congregation? When was the last time you were exhorted to separate yourselves from the ways of the world? How often do we hear a call from our pulpits to repent?
Many believers have a "looking good theology." They clean up real good on Sunday morning and make a good show by their manner of dress and speech. But, they neglect the one thing God desires most of His own. He says, "Be ye holy; for I am holy". Holiness goes far beyond how we appear to others. Holiness is first and foremost, a purity of heart, mind and spirit, which is then reflected in our lives. The Pharisees looked pretty good outwardly, yet Jesus called them a generation of vipers (Matt 3:7, 12:24, 23:33).
As followers of the God who is 'more holy than the holiest holiness,' we are not called to wear garments the Pharisees, we are called to be clothed in robes of righteousness. God says, "strip off your old nature, because your old nature is thoroughly rotted by its deceptive desires; and you must let your spirits and minds keep being renewed, and clothe yourselves with the new nature created to be godly, which expresses itself in the righteousness and holiness that flow from the truth." (Eph. 4:22-24, CJB).
Holiness is a continual process, not a one time event. The passage above urges us to "keep being renewed" so that we will live in "the righteousness and holiness that flow from the truth." How is this accomplished? It does not come to us automatically on the day we repent and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation. As Paul said we must examine ourselves. "Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you?" (2 Cor. 13:5 NIV)
A few questions to consider in the process of self examination:
- Do I choose to always seek God first above all else?
- Does my day begin with God, or the cares of this world?
- What do I cherish in my heart more than Him?
- Do I long to spend time alone with my God?
- Do I treasure His Word in my heart?
- What is it that I spend more time thinking about than my Savior?
- When troubles come, who do I turn to first for help?
More importantly, we must submit daily to God's examination of our hearts and motives, in the light of His holiness. "Examine me, God, and know my heart; test me, and know my thoughts." (Psalm 139:23 CJB)
If we truly want to walk in holiness before Him who is more holy than the holiest holiness, we must repent, turning away from the sins and cares of this world that we have allowed to soil our garments of righteousness. We must repent, turning our back on our former sins and turn to the true and living God. We must ask Him to cleanse us and create in us a clean heart, as David did, as recorded in Psalm 51.
Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.
Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanseme from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.
Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.
Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me. Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.
Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.
Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.
Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.
Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.
Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.
Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness.
O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise.
For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering.
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.
More Articles Home Page