We have heard the good news that Jesus died for our sins. He
was buried, and on the third day He rose from the dead with victory over sin
and death. We have obeyed this gospel and have repented of our sins, have been
baptized in Jesus name, and have received the gift of His Holy Ghost (Acts
2:38).
Then we stumbled and sinned. What are we to do?
When we realize we have failed God, we repent. We turn our
back on that sin and commit to live a holy life for Jesus. When we repent, it
is not just saying we are sorry, but SINCERELY meaning it and ACTING upon it.
The Bible says true repentance is with godly sorrow.
It came to Apostle Paul’s attention that there was sin going
on in the church in Corinth. Paul wrote a letter, they were sorry, and
repented.
Here are some verses:
"For though I made you sorry with a letter, I do not
repent, though I did repent: for I perceive that the same epistle hath made you
sorry, though it were but for a season. Now I rejoice, not that ye were made
sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly
manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing. For godly sorrow worketh
repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world
worketh death. For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly
sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves,
yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what
zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear
in this matter." - 2 Corinthians 7:8-11 KJV
Another translation of these verses:
"I am not sorry that I sent that severe letter to you,
though I was sorry at first, for I know it was painful to you for a little
while. Now I am glad I sent it, not because it hurt you, but because the pain
caused you to repent and change your ways. It was the kind of sorrow God wants
his people to have, so you were not harmed by us in any way. For the kind of
sorrow God wants us to experience leads us away from sin and results in
salvation. There's no regret for that kind of sorrow. But worldly sorrow, which
lacks repentance, results in spiritual death. Just see what this godly sorrow
produced in you! Such earnestness, such concern to clear yourselves, such
indignation, such alarm, such longing to see me, such zeal, and such a
readiness to punish wrong. You showed that you have done everything necessary
to make things right." - 2 Corinthians 7:8-11 NLT
What do we do to get the sin we have fallen into out of our
life?
"Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil,
and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you.
Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. Be
afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and
your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall
lift you up." - James 4:7-10 KJV
"So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and
he will flee from you. Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash
your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided
between God and the world. Let there be tears for what you have done. Let there
be sorrow and deep grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom
instead of joy. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in
honor." - James 4:7-10 NLT
Jesus gave us power when we first received His Holy Ghost.
When we stumble, we must repent and get refilled with His Spirit. We need to
continually be refilled with His Spirit because it is by His Spirit that we
have power over sin.
"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." -
Acts 1:8 KJV
When we have stumbled and failed God, we have hope through
repentance. By His goodness, Jesus accepts our true repentance. By His mercy, we
can find in Jesus forgiveness and the blessed renewing of His Holy Spirit.
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