Oct 22, 2017
True Repentance
2 Corinthians 7:8-10
8 For even
if I made you grieve with my letter, I do not regret it--though I did
regret it, for I see that that letter grieved you, though only for a
while. 9 As it is, I rejoice, not because you were grieved,
but because you were grieved into repenting. For you felt a godly grief,
so that you suffered no loss through us.10 For godly
grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret,
whereas worldly grief produces death.
Because we desire to
be more like Jesus, we make resolutions, ask Him to help us, and try to behave
differently. Yet despite our best efforts to do things God's way, we slide back
into old habits. Frustrated, we may ask Him, "Why can't I change?"
The reason is, overcoming sinful attitudes and behaviors starts with genuine
repentance, which has three aspects.
Conviction. The Holy
Spirit will reveal the areas in which we've sinned and convict us of
wrongdoing. Through Scripture, the Spirit shows us God's standard and what
needs to change. Repentance begins with understanding where we have gone
astray.
Contrition.
The next step--grieving over our iniquity--is followed by confession to the
Lord. Genuine sorrow arises from the knowledge that we've sinned against Him.
In contrast, human unhappiness often comes from being caught misbehaving. Other
times we are miserable because of where our choices led us, or feel shame that
people know about our sin. True contrition is followed by humble confession.
Commitment to
act. Real repentance is complete when we wholeheartedly pledge to turn
from our old behavior and move toward righteous ways. God knows we won't live
perfectly, but He looks for a surrendered heart that diligently seeks to obey
Him.
Paul used
strong language when telling us to turn from iniquity: "Put to death... whatever
belongs to your earthly nature" (Col. 3:5 NIV). What sin are you
struggling to overcome? Have you genuinely repented, committing to turn from it
permanently? Let the Holy Spirit empower you to change.