True reconciliation requires that we be genuinely repentant, humble, transparent, and sincere before God and before the one whom we have offended. These qualities must be expressed in the attitudes, actions, and words that we use to ask for his forgiveness.
Reconciliation involves a spirit-to-spirit communication in which our sincerity is instantly discerned.
Since few offenses are 100% our fault, and since we instinctively look for ways to justify our actions, our biggest challenge in reconciliation will be to focus on our part of the offense and be sincerely grieved over it. Any lack of true repentance will come out in statements such as these: “If I was wrong, will you forgive me?” or “I know that I was partly to blame; please forgive me,” or “I understand you were offended by what I did, and I apologize.”
Jacob knew that his life and the lives of his family members depended on his making reconciliation the right way. Esau was approaching with 400 men! Jacob wisely sent gifts to Esau before he even saw Esau face to face. Scripture states, “A gift in secret pacifieth anger: and a reward in the bosom strong wrath” (Proverbs 21:14). Jacob referred to himself as Esau’s servant, and Jacob referred to Esau as his lord. He wrestled with the Lord for a blessing and bowed down seven times as he approached his offended brother.
When Esau saw evidences of sincere repentance, he ran to meet Jacob, embraced him, fell on his neck, kissed him, and they wept. Jacob further demonstrated his sincerity by saying, “… I have seen thy face, as though I had seen the face of God” (Genesis 33:10).
The prodigal son carefully chose his words of reconciliation: “Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, and I am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants” (Luke 15:18–19).
A request for forgiveness should be as brief as possible since it is one’s spirit that will be doing the real communicating. You should explain that God has convicted you of how wrong you were in offending him and that you have come to ask for his forgiveness. Explain how your offense must have deeply hurt him. The more you understand and “feel” his hurt, the easier it will be for him to forgive you. Be ready to make financial restitution if the damages were tangible.
Before you go, ask a friend to pray for you. This will strengthen and motivate you to follow through in the act of “dying to self” so that you can have a deeper experience of true life!
Showing posts with label Repentance. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Repentance. Show all posts
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Monday, May 30, 2011
Repentance: The Disciples Turn-Around
Repentance is a change of mind, a change of heart, which produces a new direction or a new way of living. Repentance is not flawless perfection. Repentance is a 180° turn. You were headed in one direction then you turn around and head in the opposite direction. Repentance is turning from someone (self, satan), and turning toward God.
One of the greatest examples of repentance is found in Luke 15:11-24. It's the story of the Prodigal Son. The Prodigal headed one direction (away from his family, friends, home, and his father). The direction he chose led him into a "far country" and ultimately into a pig pen. Luke informs us; that while feeding the swine, he came to himself. He realized he had gotten completely off track. He then changed his mind (repented) and headed back home with a brand new attitude.
Repentance can be summed up by the words of Jesus, "FOLLOW ME!" (Mt. 4:19; 8:22; 9:9; 16:24; 19:21; Mk. 2:14; 8:34; 10:21; Lk. 5:27; 9:23,59; 18:22; Jn. 1:43;; 10:27; 12:26; 21:19). To follow Jesus one must exit the road he's traveling and travel in a new direction.
The evidence of strong emotion is not an indication of true repentance. Weeping sometimes indicates a person is sorry he got caught doing something wrong, but it doesn't necessarily indicate a change of heart and mind. (See Heb. 12:17).
Repentance is for both the unbeliever and the child of God. The unbeliever repents of his sin thereby entering into a relationship with God. He become their Heavenly Father and they become His children. The believer on the other hand repents primarily of his dead works (Heb. 6:1). Of course, if a believer sins, he needs to repent of them as well.
Why did Esau fail to find repentance for simply selling his birthright even though he sought it desperately with tears. Esau’s repentance was faulty because he did not understand true repentance. He was a profane fornicator (see Hebrews 12:16–17), and he simply wanted to regain the blessings that he had lost (see Genesis 25:33–34).
However, when David was confronted with his sin, he repented for the right reason. He wanted to restore fellowship with God. If we repent for any other reason than this we are not experiencing true repentance. (See Psalm 51.)
James describes sincere repentance by calling for our laughter to be turned to mourning and our joy to be turned to heaviness. He exhorts us to cleanse our hands of past sins and purify our hearts of double-mindedness. (See James 4.)
The rewards of true repentance are not only a clear conscience and restored fellowship with God, but also a Godly heritage for our children and grandchildren. The failures of parents can affect children for generations to come, as in the case of Abraham.
QUESTION: In what specific areas do you need to change your mind (repent)?
One of the greatest examples of repentance is found in Luke 15:11-24. It's the story of the Prodigal Son. The Prodigal headed one direction (away from his family, friends, home, and his father). The direction he chose led him into a "far country" and ultimately into a pig pen. Luke informs us; that while feeding the swine, he came to himself. He realized he had gotten completely off track. He then changed his mind (repented) and headed back home with a brand new attitude.
Repentance can be summed up by the words of Jesus, "FOLLOW ME!" (Mt. 4:19; 8:22; 9:9; 16:24; 19:21; Mk. 2:14; 8:34; 10:21; Lk. 5:27; 9:23,59; 18:22; Jn. 1:43;; 10:27; 12:26; 21:19). To follow Jesus one must exit the road he's traveling and travel in a new direction.
The evidence of strong emotion is not an indication of true repentance. Weeping sometimes indicates a person is sorry he got caught doing something wrong, but it doesn't necessarily indicate a change of heart and mind. (See Heb. 12:17).
Repentance is for both the unbeliever and the child of God. The unbeliever repents of his sin thereby entering into a relationship with God. He become their Heavenly Father and they become His children. The believer on the other hand repents primarily of his dead works (Heb. 6:1). Of course, if a believer sins, he needs to repent of them as well.
Why did Esau fail to find repentance for simply selling his birthright even though he sought it desperately with tears. Esau’s repentance was faulty because he did not understand true repentance. He was a profane fornicator (see Hebrews 12:16–17), and he simply wanted to regain the blessings that he had lost (see Genesis 25:33–34).
However, when David was confronted with his sin, he repented for the right reason. He wanted to restore fellowship with God. If we repent for any other reason than this we are not experiencing true repentance. (See Psalm 51.)
James describes sincere repentance by calling for our laughter to be turned to mourning and our joy to be turned to heaviness. He exhorts us to cleanse our hands of past sins and purify our hearts of double-mindedness. (See James 4.)
The rewards of true repentance are not only a clear conscience and restored fellowship with God, but also a Godly heritage for our children and grandchildren. The failures of parents can affect children for generations to come, as in the case of Abraham.
QUESTION: In what specific areas do you need to change your mind (repent)?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)