“Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.”
Proverbs 28:13
A Mark of a Christian
Repentance must be a core value of biblical manhood. Frequent, heart-felt repentance is a vital part of our growth as a follower of Christ. Charles Spurgeon said “Repentance is as much a mark of a Christian, as faith is. A very little sin, as the world calls it, is a very great sin to a true Christian.”
Heart Connection to God
Every man’s first act of repentance is during salvation and God offers forgiveness for all our sins. God also calls for on-going repentance of our sins, not for justification, but because it connects us to the heart of God.
In 1 John, he is speaking to mature believers and he says, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” How often do you need to be cleansed? Daily? Hourly?!
Use One Another
Repentance may also include the help of another brother in Christ. James 5 says: “Confess your sins to one another and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.”
How do you Repent?
When you sin, run to the Lord because he accepts sinners. Matt Chandler says a mark of a mature believer is that they run to God, and not away from him, when they sin.
Pray for the Holy Spirit to reveal areas of disobedience in your life.
Confess your sins specifically to the Lord. Vague confessions asking to “forgive all my sins” do not lead to true repentance.
Make a genuine turn away from sin. This must also involve a turning “to” Christ in faith that his ways are better.
Rest in the grace of God’s forgiveness. Psalm 103:12 “As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.”
Caleb Crawley
MD5 Facilitator