31 Days of Victory:{Day 4}Repentance

“Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, 

but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.” 

Proverbs 28:13

Today’s topic may seem a bit elementary to the average church member. I know I’ve been going over the basics of the gospel, but I’m praying that you don’t skim through what seems to be old news. Stick with me. God’s truth is alive and has the power to breath on us in a new way every time we reflect on it.

On Day 2 I discussed the importance of having a proper view of God. Part of this proper view is to understand His great, incomparable love for us. His love is higher than the heavens and His faithfulness reaches to the skies. Essentially, God revealed his paramount kindness through the sending of his Son {which we discussed yesterday--The Great Exchange}. But in order to live victoriously in His love for us, we cannot simply leave it at that. Christ's love should compel us to action. Romans 2:4 reminds us that God’s kindness is intended to lead us to repentance.

According to dictionary.com, repentance is defined as deep sorrow, compunction, or contrition for a past sin, wrongdoing, or the like. Regret for any past action. If you’ve ever experienced regret, you know it can feel so awful. But experiencing a heavenly sorrow when we realize our shortcomings will actually bring us life.

“Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, 

but worldly sorrow brings death.”

2 Corinthians 7:10 

Today’s message is a very simple one. Repent.

I’ll never forget the time I met with one of my pastors along with our women’s ministry director for a time of repentance. So much chaos was happening emotionally and spiritually in my life. Even on my way to the meeting, I had not yet fully realized that the cure to my spiritual conflicts was to renounce the secret and shameful things buried deep within my heart. It was a tearful three hours as I told the naked truth. At the end of it all, right in the middle of my fear that they were going to kick me out of the church for being so wretched, our women’s ministry director looked me right in the eyes and said that my honesty only made her love and cherish me more--and the pastor agreed. I was so relieved and shocked by their unconditional love for me. I sat that there, mouth-wide-open, with a grateful heart.  They saw the bad and the ugly and still called me friend; and that’s how it is with God.

“Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the one whose sin the LORD does not count against them and in whose spirit is no deceit.”

 Psalm 32:1-2

Living a life of repentance is essential to our victory. Bearing the weight of our guilt can suck the life right out of us. King David gives us a perfect, practical example of this. When he fell into sin with Bathsheba, then plotted to kill her husband to cover up his wickedness, the nagging guilt of his sins ate away at him. Though outwardly he was a highly respected king, inwardly he was living in the defeat of his bad choices--until he repented. Here's what he had to say about it...  

“When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy on me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer. Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the LORD.’ And you forgave the guilt of my sin.”  

Psalm 32:3-5

“If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make Him out to be a liar and His word is not in us.” 

1John 1:19

Repentance can seem daunting from two perspectives. 1) We might be afraid of what might happen if we bring to light the things which are covered in darkness. And 2) Let's face it. Some of us thoroughly enjoy the sin that we indulge in. To turn from sin can also mean to give up something destructive that we actually cherish. Keep in mind that to choose repentance is to choose life and choose blessings {Deuteronomy 30:19}. The repentant believer is a victorious believer. 

TODAY'S CHALLENGE:

Praying God's word is powerful. Pray Psalm 139:23-24 and Psalm 19:13. "Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting... Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then I will be blameless, innocent of great transgression." 

If God reveals any sin to your heart, repent. Consider meeting with a pastor or another safe, mature believer for prayer and accountability. Keeping in mind this verse:

"Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective." James 5:15-16

Victory is available through the gift of forgiveness. 


Victoriously,

Monique Zackery 


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