Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha
Repentance is a change of mind, a change of heart, a
change of course of life from sin to righteousness. Please see Luke Chapter 6
verse 44. True repentance is manifested
in a genuine turning away from sin, further demonstrated in a genuine hatred
for sin. Please see Romans Chapter 12 verse 9, Psalm 119 verse 104, 2nd
Corinthians Chapter 7 verse 10, Luke Chapter 22 verse 62, Proverbs Chapter 28
verse 13, Ezekiel Chapter 14 verse 6. A person who does not hate sin loves
sin. Unfortunately, many people give or
make excuses for sin - Genesis Chapter 3 verse 13. When people make excuses for
sin, the sin becomes a besetting sin. But when people acknowledge their sins
and repent of them, they receive grace to completely turn away from the sin.
Repentance is also reflected when a person bears the fruits
of repentance. When Paul was
converted there was a complete transformation; a u-turn from persecuting the
Church to promoting the Church. He embraced the belief that he vehemently
rejected. Consequently, the same people
who admired him and employed him became his persecutors who wanted to kill him.
Please see Please see Acts Chapter 8 verses 1 to 4, and Acts Chapter 9. Paul
was a student of law under Gamaliel but Paul became the leading Apostle of the
Christian faith after repentance.
Beloved, God requires
genuine repentance from individuals and family members that make up nations so
that their transformed lives will bring about transformation by the Holy Spirit
in their nations. For instance, unregenerate violent persons who probably make
up the bulk of persons in their communities and nations who confess the
Lordship of Jesus Christ and actually do a complete u-turn from sin to
righteousness will bring about healing to their communities and nations by
their regenerated lifestyles in Christ Jesus. Similarly, corruption can be
completely gotten rid of in nations with records of massive corruption that has
become endemic; if only the nationals of such countries opt to live by the Spirit
of God as they confess the Lordship of Jesus Christ. My prayer is that the countries struggling
with deep rooted issues of corruption will be freed and healed by God in the
mighty name of Jesus Christ.
Finally, repentance is also reflected in restitution,
which is righting the wrongs you did in the past. You may have to apologize to
people you probably maligned publicly or return stolen property. However,
restitution should be subject to the leading of the Holy Spirit. Our
relationship with God as well as our repentance must be genuine. Please see Acts
Chapter 3 verse 19.
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