In the book, God’s Plan for Man by Finis Jennings Dake salvation is characterized by mainly addressing sixty areas. I will attempt to discuss each of these areas. I previously discussed areas of salvation in my prior blog post The Significance of our Salvation. If you missed that post, you can check it out here. Today, I would like to discuss Repentance.
Repentance is a change of mind and having a new mind about God. It is to recognize and acknowledge a sin (ungodly act), ask for forgiveness, and make a sincere effort to change one’s ungodly ways. True repentance is much more than lip service. It is backed up with and given validity by one’s actions. One will move away from, evil, wickedness, and all ungodly acts, and move towards godly people and things.
Repentance is required and a necessary act to perform before someone should ask Jesus Christ to be Lord of his life. Before one can be saved, one needs to know that they will be changing masters. Things allowed by one’s former master (Satan, or the devil) are not acceptable and will not be tolerated by one’s new master Jesus Christ. Jesus is an exact representation of God the Father and represents righteousness, divinity, sovereignty, and many other attributes.
There are several verses that address repentance. Here are some of them.
- 2 Chronicles 7:14 [KJV] If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
- Jeremiah 18:7,8 [KJV] Regarding National Repentance-At what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to pluck up, and to pull down, and to destroy it. If that nation, against whom I have pronounced, turn from their evil, I will repent of the evil that I thought to do unto them.
- Jonah 3:9,10 [KJV] Who can tell if God will turn and repent, and turn away from his fierce anger, and that we perish not? And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil, that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did it not.
- Ezekiel 18:30 Therefore I will judge you. O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, saith the LORD God. Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so, iniquity shall not be your ruin.
- Jeremiah 26:13 Therefore now amend your ways and your doings, and obey the voice of the LORD your God; and the LORD will repent of the evil that he pronounced against you.
CONCLUSION
Even though God is longsuffering, He has grieved over mankind’s actions. However, if we change our evil ways, God will repent (change His mind) and hold back His anger and wrath that he initially was going to reign down on us. Our prayers can be powerful, but they must be followed up with action. And our walk should equal our talk.
Do you acknowledge your sins regularly and repent of them? If so, how does it make you feel? Feel free to comment below.