Individual Repentance for Healing the Nations

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, 2^nd 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.

The Place of Restitution in the Healing of the Nations

Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

Sometimes, restitution, the practice of restoring whatever was taken illegally by force of arms, subtlety or deceit is necessary for the healing of the nations, communities, organizations, families and individuals.

In the book of Genesis Chapter 12 verses 14 to 20, the Bible records an interesting story of what transpired between Abraham and Pharaoh. Until Pharaoh restituted Sarah back to Abraham, the lawful and rightful owner of Sarah, the Bible records that God plagued Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because he took Sarah, Abraham’s wife as one of his wives. King Abimelech of Gerar also took on Sarah as one of his wives but God rebuked him and asked him to return Sarah back to Abraham. Thereafter, he and his household were restored. Please see Genesis Chapter 20 for full details of this very instructive story.

The Israelites under King David experienced and suffered famine for three years and when eventually King David went to  inquire of the LORD, God revealed that Israel had transgressed through Saul and his bloodthirsty house who killed the Gibeonites, people whom Israel had sworn protection to under the leadership of Joshua. Please see Joshua Chapter 9 for details of the transaction.