The Power of Repentance

When I was growing up in the church I was never really taught about the power of repentance. During that time I thought that repentance was asking God for forgiveness of some sin that I had committed. Naturally I was repenting almost about every Sunday; of course this was when I was still attending church. No one ever told me that repenting was not about going to the altar and feeling guilty and apologizing to God for my shortcomings.

As believers in Christ we must know that forgiveness for sin is not something that you need to be forgiven of constantly, but rather it is something you walk in continually. You have already been forgiven of your sins through the price that was paid on the cross. Every sin, past, present, and future has already been forgiven so you can stop condemning yourself for your shortcomings and start thanking Jesus for what He has already accomplished.

So now we know that we have been freed from the bondage of sin we can now start to understand what real repentance is and where it leads.

Acts 2:38 (KJV)
Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Here Peter is speaking to a group and telling them to Repent. The word repent here is metanoeo which simply means to changes one’s mind for better. To me being a follower of Christ is not merely about doing good deeds but more about the renewing of one’s mind and the fervency for God in one’s heart. So in a sense Peter is saying wash your mind with Jesus Christ and then you will receive the power and guidance that Holy Spirit provides.

So you may be asking if repentance is not asking for forgiveness of sins than does that mean I will still commit sin. The answer is yes. The question is not will you ever commit sin again but it should be how will I let Holy Spirit mature me so I can resist those sins that I usually fall prey to. When I was younger I used to commit all kinds of sin, from fornication to stealing. When I washed my mind with what Jesus did for me on the cross and received power and guidance from the Holy Spirit I soon began to see that the temptations I used to fall prey to no longer had power to influence my decision making. As each day, month, and year past I grew stronger and stronger. Does this mean that I am sinless, no not at all. What I mean by that statement is this; I may no longer commit fornication but I may walk in unforgiveness even if it is for a short moment. Sin is sin, no matter if it’s something as horrific as murder or something as subtle as envy, it all weighs the same.

Clearly no believer can live a successful life without the help from the Holy Spirit and the first step to this is repentance. Remember not the repentance where you go up to the altar and ask for forgiveness and weep because of the guilt you carry. I’m talking about the repentance where you decide that you will change your thinking and stance on the things and situations that have hindered you and you say once and for all that those things and situations will no longer control your thinking or actions.

The above scripture informs us that when we repent we shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit that will help us with this life here on the earth. Now when you do go through that process Jesus says that you will be witnesses unto him all over. And your life will be a testimony unto all the world of the goodness of God.

Acts 1:8 (KJV)
But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you; and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

As believers we are witnesses unto Christ, not because we live perfect lives but because we were transformed by the blood of Jesus.

I hope that this has been a blessing to you.

Daryle Houston II
Kingdom Vizion Ministries
www.kingdomvizion.org

Who Knew No Sin

II Corinthians 5:21 (NKJV)
For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

We recently celebrated Easter and during this time we really hone in on the sacrifice that was made on our behalf, and once Easter comes to an end we usually go on to a different topic. I think that the sacrifice of Jesus is the most important reference in the Bible. I say this boldly because without it we would be lost in sin, not knowing which way to turn. I was thinking about the price that was paid and it continuously astounds me that God loves us so much.

Let’s think about, God took his only Son and poured His wrath upon Him so that we would be set free. On the cross Jesus not only took our sins but He became sin itself. He became the only thing that God hates. He went from being the purest person on the entire earth to being the exact opposite of that. Now that’s grace my friend, and without it we are nothing.

We have to watch as believers how we view our relationship with God. Many people view it in many different ways. Until recently I viewed my relationship with God as one that was pretty much based on trying to please Him through my actions. I just recently realized this and it was the biggest weight lifted off my shoulders when God told me that He is already pleased with me and there is nothing I can do to change His mind. God is not mad at anybody; remember His wrath was poured out on His only Son on the cross. If God was mad at you that would be like saying His first sacrifice (Jesus) was not good enough.

But this is a revelation that we have to not only get but receive. When we think about the devil and his tricks we always think about some sinful temptation. We never think that He might try and use the Holy Scriptures to confound us and keep us in bondage. Many of us are still living according to the ways of the Law of Moses and not even knowing it. The Law will tell us that we have to do something to please God. The Law tells us that God can sometimes be mad at us and put us through various trials such as sickness and disease to mature us as Christians. The Law tells us that we’re not good enough until we do something that is good enough for God.

If we rightly divide the Word of God we will understand that first and foremost the Law is Holy, and given by God. We will also know that there is a new covenant and that no man but Jesus could have fulfilled the Law of Moses and we are to live according to the new and not the old.

Romans 6:14 (NKJV)
For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.

Acts 13:38-39 (NKJV)
“Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through this Man is preached to you the forgiveness of sins; “and by Him everyone who believes is justified from all things you could not be justified by the Law of Moses.

The above scriptures let me know that I am justified because I believe I am and that there is nothing I can do to earn extra brownie points with God because He has more points to give that I can imagine. God loves you for you and not what it is that you do or don’t do. Sounds a little too good to be true, but it is indeed so. Once we renew our minds to this truth freedom will reign in your life and you won’t feel like you are living in bondage by being a follower of Christ. I pray that this has blessed you in some form or fashion and if you know someone who is on your heart that might also be blessed by this, please feel free to share.

Daryle Houston II
Kingdom Vizion Ministries
www.kingdomvizion.org