Part I Why Repentance

So we can begin to turn around Read Read 1 King 8:38 and Psalm 14: 2-3

all have sinned and turned away from God. Not one of us is good enough to be without sin! The good news is that we can repent, which is taking that first step to say, I don’t want to continue living in rebellion against God, but am prepared to submit my life to God instead.

So we don't die  Read Ezekiel 18:30-32

So we can start a new beginning   Read Ezekiel 18:31

Part II Steps to repantance

1. Recognition & Acknowledgement  Read 2 Samuel 12: 13 & Matthew 27: 4

In this step, we search our heartr and reflect on our lives before God (Psalm 139: 23-24) and take ownership of our sins. Write down the sins you have committed in your life. Be as specific as possible: the circumstances, the motive, the actions, the people involved, and the consequence (damage, pains, guilt). Recall what happened before, during, and after. List each incident.

These Scriptures may help you to recall – look up words in the dictionary or check another translation if you are not sure of their meaning: Galatians 5:19-21, 2 Timothy 3: 1 – 5 Mark 7:20-23, 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, Ephesians 5:3-5, Revelations 21:8, James 4:17

2. Godly Sorrows that lead to repentance (feel the pain) Read 2 Corinthians 7: 8-11

As you take inventory of your life, a range of emotions may emerge.  You may feel shame or guilt; you may go into denial mode and blame others for causing you to sin; you may feel angry; you may want to shut down emotionally because it is simply too painful, It takes both courage and faith to carry on.  Reflect on the difference between godly sorrow and worldly sorrow and how you can proactively look forward to the future, rather than being pulled back into the past?

3. Confession (bring them out to the open) Read James 5:16 & Psalm 32: 5 (read the whole Psalm for context)

In this step, we confess our sins, first to God, then to a spiritual person whom we trust. This person should himself/herself already be living a life of repentance and confession. You should feel safe with them because they do not judge, nor do they put themselves above you spiritually. Rather they see themselves as sinners who, like you, need daily forgiveness and grace. The role of the person to whom you confess is not to forgive you, as this is God’s role. They are there as your witness before God, and to encourage you to honest, to take responsibility, to make amends, and to accept forgiveness.

“When we confess to God, we find forgiveness. When we confess to people, we find healing.”

4. Make Amends (Reconciliation) Read Mathews 5:23, Numbers 5: 6-7, Luke 19:8

To reconcile is to restore something to its previous and wholesome state. In this step, we go back to the people we have caused harm to offer them our desire to reconcile. We first acknowledge our part in causing them harm, empathize with them for the pain they must have suffered, and express our desire to make amend, for ask for forgiveness. You may receive a range of responses from indifference (really, I don't remember), gratitude (hey thanks for acknowledging this), humility (you know, I was at fault, too),  denial (well, it didn't really happen as you said) to anger (you have no idea how much damage you did to me, my life is completely messed up because of you).  Whatever the response is, we are doing our bit to clear our consciousness before God, the other person will do theirs. We are not responsible for how they respond, nor should we try to control them.

5. Commit to living a life of holiness. Read Acts 26: 20, Matthews 5: 27-30

In this step, we begin to walk in the opposite direction as we take on a new attitude toward sin. What are your temptations? Are you willing to take radical steps to avoid sinning? (For example: not watching certain films, not wearing certain clothes, not going to certain types of parties)

6. Remain humble before God. Read Psalm 25: 6-11 & James 4: 6-10

7. Make it a lifestyle Read 1 John 1:5- 10

When you take the step of repentance, you are walking out of darkness into the light.  In reality, we will continue to sin, intentionally or unintentionally.  When we sin or claim to be without sin, we walk right back into the darkness.  But we don't need to stay there, Simply bring your sins to the light through confession and repentance.  God is ready to forgive, as many times as you are willing to repent. 

Next Study

Back to the reFoundation series overview

Study #6 Spiritual Rebirth

• Spiritual rebirth defined

• Stepts to the new covanent

• Reflection and decision