Repentance

Question: is repentance very important?  There are people that seem to think that repentance isn’t that important after you become a Christian.  It is hard for me to believe that a true believer wouldn’t be sorry when they sin and want to repent.  Make no mistake about it, sin separates us from God and I think repentance is very important.

Take the Israelites for example, they were God’s chosen people, it was said that they were the apple of God’s eye.  Read what it says about them in Isaiah 59:1-2, “Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; nor His ear heavy, that it cannot hear. But your iniquities have separated you from your God; and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear.”

These were God’s chosen people and when they rebelled against God, separation was the outcome because of their sin, for God hid His face from their sin and refused to hear their prayers.  If we rebel and sin against the Lord, as believers, it will cause us to be separated from the Lord also, until He chooses to forgive us.  I will let you answer this question; will He forgive us if we are not sorry and don’t repent?  

Think about Adam and Eve, before Eve was deceived, and sinned, and Adam chose to sin, they walked with God in the cool of the day but after they sinned they hid themselves from God when He came looking for them.  Why?  It was because sin brought about fear and isolation, causing them to hide from the presence of God.  Then they were banished from the garden and from the presence of their God, their creator.  That was one of their punishments, and because of their sin, it caused all mankind to be separated from God because we are all now born with a sin nature.  You can read about this in the book of Genesis chapters 1 through 3.  There are always consequences for sin whether you are a believer or not.

The Bible says this in Galatians 6:5-8, “For each one shall bear his own load. Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches. Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.”  

Every person will reap what they sow, it is universal, whether Christian or not, so please don’t be deceived thinking you don’t have to repent of your sin and God is just going to let you slide because you are a believer.  God does not just wink at sin, He judges it.  The consequences are up to Him, we do not control the correction, only God does.  

Here is an example of this found in the New Testament in Acts 5:1-11, “But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession. And he kept back part of the proceeds, his wife also being aware of it, and brought a certain part and laid it at the apostles’ feet. But Peter said, ‘Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.’

Then Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and breathed his last. So great fear came upon all those who heard these things. And the young men arose and wrapped him up, carried him out, and buried him.

Now it was about three hours later when his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. And Peter answered her, ‘Tell me whether you sold the land for so much?’

She said, ‘Yes, for so much.’

Then Peter said to her, ‘How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.’ Then immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. And the young men came in and found her dead, and carrying her out, buried her by her husband. So great fear came upon all the church and upon all who heard these things.”

These were two believers that lied to God and the church and received harsh punishment, which was very sad, but there was good that came out of this; fear came over the church and all who heard about it.  I don’t think that anyone took sin for granted then and remember this; these things are written for our example.  The Word says this in 1 John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

I don’t know about you, but I think we should take sin very seriously and not just take advantage of the grace of God.  Something to think about and have a super day and may God bless you!!