The “R” word is something that many people don’t
want to talk about, but it’s essential for salvation (Luke 13:3). It’s “repentance.”
A pastor told a man, “When you walked into the room, I detected you have 7
demons that are tormenting you. Would you like me to cast them out?” The man
thought for a moment and said, “How about 6 of them?” Some people refuse to
let go of the one thing that’s destroying them.
The
Definition.
Repentance means desiring to change so we can be pleasing to the Lord. Immediately
after Jesus was baptized, He preached, “Repent and believe in the
gospel” (Mark 1:15). Repentance is not simply changing your behavior. It’s having
a change of heart first, which results in changing your behavior. You
really can’t repent without the Holy Spirit working in your heart, who gives
you both the desire and power to change.
The Turning
Point.
A counselor friend of mine went to see a youth in drug rehab. The counselor
asked, “If I gave you a gun, would you kill someone?” The youth said, “No way.
I would never kill anyone.” Again he asked the same question. He replied, “I
already told you no.” He asked a third time. The youth got angry, “No! I told
you I would never do that!” The counselor said, “When you feel that way
about drugs, then you’ll be free from drugs.” You cannot be free from bondage
until you’re determined to change.
The
Reward. What in your life
needs to change? Is it an attitude? An addiction? Paul wrote, “You turned
away from idols to serve the true and living God” (1 Thess. 1:9).
When you seek to be close to God, you’ll turn away from your sin—and only then you’ll
discover a freedom and joy that you didn’t know was possible! (Rom. 15:13). But
you’ll never experience these blessings until you first decide to change in your
heart. www.kentcrockett.blogspot.com
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Making Life Count Ministries
P.O. Box 680174
Prattville, Alabama 36068-0174
www.makinglifecount.net Twitter: @KentCrockett
