By Pastor Austin C. Udeoha
Luke 3:7, 8; Romans 1:16, 2 Corinthians 7:9-11; Titus 2:11-14; Joel 2:12-13
Repentance unto salvation is the urgent need for the hour, especially in these last days of empty religion. This is very important because there are many people in many religious circles, even leaders that their repentance is not up to salvation. Only genuine and sincere repentance can stand the test of salvation that Christ brought to the world. The challenge before us today is to bring forth fruit meet for repentance, backed up with the gospel power unto salvation. Without genuine repentance unto salvation, your salvation is false, hypocritical mere religious profession which is very dangerous.
We shall consider the subject under three points. They are the following:-
1. REMORSE AND REGRET FROM SELF
2 Corinthians 7:9-11; Exodus 8:8; 28;32; 9:27; 28;35; 10:16; 17; 28; 1Samuel 15:22-26; 34; 35;18:7-11; 19:6; 8-11; 20-24; 20:30-33;24:13-20; 26:1-2; 17;21; Ruth1:8;9;14;15; Matthew 27:3-5
From these passages we can see unacceptable, halfhearted. insincere, hypocritical and false repentance. God rejected the repentance because it was made with false heart.
King Pharaoh was falsely confessing his sin. He showed remorse and regret just because of suffering God’s judgment against him, only to continue in his sin when the judgment is lifted. Like many people in many churches, when there is a problem they and cry, promise God heaven and earth only to go back to their normal sin when the suffering is over. King Saul was ready to accept everything and to confess both committed and the uncommitted sin only to kill David and retain his kingship position.
There are many people in the church today even leaders who are ready to do, allow, suffer and endure anything just to retain position, and get what they wanted for their selfish interest.
When they are stopped, discipline or hear the word of God, you see them praying, crying and begging not from the heart or for genuine repentance but only regretting for what they think they loose or the shame to suffer.
The confession of King Saul couldn’t secure him life, favour and the kingdom, the remorseful confession of King Pharaoh couldn’t prevent him from dying in the red sea. False repentance of Judas was not strong enough to save him from hell, even the hypocritical weeping of Orpah could not take her to the Lord’s bosom. They were all mere remorse and regret from self without the heart of true repentance, for the Lord looketh and sees into every heart. Please, pause, stop, and retreat, consider your ways and seek and get the genuine repentance unto salvation.
2. REPENTANCE AND A RETURN TO THE SAVIOUR
Mark 1:14;15; Acts 2:37-39; 3:19;20; Matthew 21:28-31; Luke 3:7-14; Jeremiah 3:12; 14;22;4:1;15:19; Joel 2:12-13; Ezekiel 18:30-33; malachi 3:7; Isaiah 30:15; 55:7; Deuteronomy 30:1-2; 1Samuel 7:3; Psalm 78:34; Hosea 3:5; 6:1-2; 7:10; 14:1-2; 7
The theme of the Bible Christ’s message, the Apostles and Prophets is repentance from sin, self and Satan return to God and righteousness
True repentance unto salvation makes man to return unto God. You have not repented until you turned, returned, regenerated, renewed, revived and totally transformed from your old sinful life into a new man by God’s Grace. This will be possible through the blood of Jesus Christ and the regeneration of the spirit of God. The Bible commands that when you sin and sinners and return to the savior, you don’t return back to them rather, sinful friends will return and meet you with God. There is hope when one repents and returns to God. If you have been a backslider saying no to God before, if you return today He will receive you. The challenge before every repented believer is to call others to return also. You must be a soul winner if you truly repented and returned to God.
3. RENEWAL AND REGENERATION TO SALVATION
2Corinthians 5:15; 17; Romans 6:4; 7:6; Ephesians 4:23; Romans 12:12; 1:16; 2Corinthians 7:9-11; Matthew 19: 28; Titus 3: 4-8; 11-14; Luke 3:7 & 8.
When you go beyond mere remorse and regret in your Christian life and genuinely repent and return unto God, then the first evidence will be a new man with a renewed spirit, regenerated unto salvation. With this experience, other Christian experiences will follow and it shall be made easy. Such as restitution, sanctification, Holy Ghost baptism, gift of the Holy Spirit, fear of God, evangelism with soul winning, prayerfulness, obedience, sincerity and more others. But without this basic foundation your life will be full of struggling, manpower and eye service. Please come unto the grace of God today through this way of regeneration.
For more help, contact Pastor Austin C. Udeoha
Holiness Power Bible Ministries
Operation Tikpoo (Destroy the works of devil)
No. 8/10 Igbesi Street, Okomala,
Berilet Bus Stop Oshodi-Apapa Express Way, Ilasamaja, Lagos
E-mail: holinesspowerbibleministries@gmail.com
Weekly Meetings
Sunday Bible Service: 7:30 am
Wednesday Power Connection (Morning Session) 8.00AM
Wednesday Power Connection (Evening Session) 6.00PM
Friday Holiness and Heaven Bible Study in different Regions 6.00PM
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