Repentance

Ephesians 4:29-32
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Today as I was reading this verse, it made me think about my sin. There were many times in my life where I've cursed and had fits of rage. Both on the tennis court, at work, at school, and in my personal relationships with people.

The Bible warns us against this sin clearly. Specifically it warns us about unwholesome talk coming out of your mouths. That includes cursing, talking behind people's backs, slander, deceit, etc etc. These are things I've learned to control through the power of Jesus Christ. A lot of people don't think twice when they curse and I use to curse a lot honestly. It's such a common thing to do it that we tend to take it for granted. And now when I hear it both on television and from people, I try to turn myself away from it. I don't want to put myself in those situations. It's a sin. Yes Christian's sin, but Christians also repent and do everything that they can to turn away from sin. If you follow Jesus, you follow his teachings and that includes turning away from sin. Ridding yourself from sinful temptations and surrounding yourself with disciples - God's holy people.

Ephesians 5:3-7
But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. 4 Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. 5 For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. 7 Therefore do not be partners with them.

Point clear. The Bible is warning us further of these sins including temptations and greed. These things should have no place in a Christian's life. There are many "nominal Christians" out there that believe that they can sin over and over again and just ask for forgiveness and be "forgiven". Yet, this is not what the Bible says. The principles of the Bible teach us to repent. How are you repenting if you sin and then ask for forgiveness, sin ask for forgiveness, and on and on. That's not repenting. Therefore, your truely not asking for forgiveness from God.

Repenting is turning away from sin and changing your mind. Taking a 180 degree turn and changing your life.

Luke 13:3
I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.

It's deeper than just sinning and asking for forgiveness. If you sin and just ask for forgiveness, and then committ the same sins, then your without hope. This is fact when Jesus stated the Parable to two Sons in Matthew 21:28-32

“What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’
“‘I will not,’ he answered, but later he changed his mind and went.

“Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, ‘I will, sir,’ but he did not go.

“Which of the two did what his father wanted?”

“The first,” they answered.

Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you. For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him.

I thought this was a good lesson as I read this passage. Do God's will and repent. Change your MIND, your ATTITUDE, your THOUGHTS. Don't just go through the motions of asking for forgiveness. We need to match our actions with our words, including myself. Then someday we will have the blessing of being in God's kingdom. The door is narrow as Jesus said and people will knock and we won't know who they are. I don't want to be knocking.