Daily Word
A word of encouragement for your day.
THREE-STEP-REPENTANCE
"From that time Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near. Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out. The Spirit of Truth will convict the world regarding sin, and righteousness, and judgment."
Repentance and conversion are the Gateway into the Kingdom of God.
The conviction of the Holy Spirit brings deep sorrow and shame – our response is repentance – it opens up for the life-changing powers of the Atonement: God´s dealing with (eradication of) sin and infusion of the Holy Spirit.
This is a process that goes deeper and deeper, until it touches the fundamental disposition of sin.
It leads to the complete elimination of “the old man” and the full emergence and manifestation of “the new man.”
We can pinpoint three steps in this process:
1/. Initial repentance: “conviction of sin”
This involves receiving Christ as Saviour with an understanding that Jesus died to take away my sins. There is an initial repentance from the world and outward sinful acts and receiving forgiveness and cleansing from them.
This leads to a certain change in life-style and behaviour: but everything still centres around “me”: my problems, needs etc
2/. Personal repentance: “conviction of righteousness”
Then comes a revelation of personal sin: “I have sinned against God!” I do things, act and react, because of flaws in my personal character.
I understand that my will must be submitted to the Lordship of Christ, my way of thinking and behaviour, my emotions, reactions and attitudes must change.
Repentance leads to being clothed with the righteousness of Christ.
3/. Definite repentance: “conviction of judgment”
The Holy Spirit reveals the awful reality of the independent self-life and I understand that I must repent and give up my right to my own life and die, so that Christ can live in me.
When I receive the death sentence on “the old man”. the Holy Spirit can invade my whole being and “the new man” – Christ – can emerge.
This is the end of self-realization and the beginning of Christ-realization: the true Christian life.
How far have you allowed the Holy Spirit to bring you in this life-transforming process?