Repentance

If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. (2 Chronicles 7:14) The word of God in the book of 2 Corinthians 5:17-19 says; Therefore in any man be in Christ , he is a new creation: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to Himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. This is one of the most amazing scriptures in the word; it reveals to us the identity of the recreated man. One of the most precious gifts that this world has ever received is the gift of eternal life. The bible gives us the origin of this eternal life in the book of 1 John 5:11; And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. It is clear from the word of God that this eternal life that the bible talks about is only found in the Son of God (Jesus Christ), halelluya! And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life. (1 John 5:20). Now going back to our opening scripture in the book of 1 Chronicles 7:14, we observe something very amazing in the construction used in this scripture, he starts off by saying; If my people, which are called by my Name, meaning that it was to a specific group of people that He was referring to. This scripture is found in the Old Testament, so we know that at the time He was referring to the children of Israel. Now, one can start to wonder; if it was to Israel that He said these things, that means it`s not for the rest of us. But it is for us as well (those in Christ), let us look at a few scriptures to see how the rest of us fit into these matters. Ephesians 3:2-6 If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward: How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ). Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; That the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel. So it is clear that Father had us in mind way before we knew that we were also heirs of this eternal life, Glory to His Holy name. So beloved we are those who are called by His Name (the Wonderful Name of Jesus), halleluya! In the book of Colossians 2: 6-7 the word of the Lord says; As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: Rooted and built up in him, and established in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. This particular portion of scripture reveals another important aspect of being in Christ so walk ye in Him. This is very important for us as believers to constantly walk with the one in whom we`ve believed, because it is in this walk (fellowship) with Him that He`ll reveal Himself fully to us, that we might live and abide in His will here on the earth. Going back to our opening scripture, we see that humility, prayer and seeking the Lord`s face are very important for true repentance (turn from their wicked ways). The bible says in the book of 2 Timothy2:19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. Again in the book of Titus 2:-12 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world. This scripture in the book of Titus reveals to us; the wonderful grace of God. Out of every temptation He has provided a way out! Halleluya.

Though the bible talks about this wonderful grace of God, it is intended for our repentance, and it is not a license to sin; Romans 2:4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? In the book of John 3; 16 the word of God say; For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. And again,in the book of Romans 5: 6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. The apostle Peter puts it this way; For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls. (1 Peter 2:25) As those who have been born again it is always important to set our hearts fixed on the one who is able to save us, Hebrews 12:1-2 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. This is the sum of all the things written in this document; we have been purchased with a precious price, we have been given eternal life, and there is a life that we ought to live now that we are in Christ. Hebrews 12:12-15 Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed. Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled. 1 John 1: 5- 8This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. Beloved the word of God lets us know that our Father loves us so much and every time we repent of our sins He receives us; 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. In our opening scripture the word of the Lord says : then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin, and I will heal their land. (2 Chronicles 7:14), one other important revelation about this particular portion of scripture is that, the land He is referring to is our hearts, because these words were initially said to King Solomon as He was dedicating the temple of God. Now it is revealed to us in the new testament, that the church is not a physical building, but we (the recreated ones), are the church, halleluya! Our bodies are the temple of the Spirit of God. Now remember the encounter of in the new testament when the Lord Jesus Christ drove out all the money changers, and others who were defiling the temple of God ( John 2:14), the bible says in John 2:17 And his disciples remembered that it was written, The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up. Notice that all these things happened before the death, burial and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, so it was at the time for the physical temple (building), that He was zealous, and the reason for this is that it was the house of God, that is why He drove out all that didnt belong in the presence of God. In the same way the Lord drove out all that profaned the old temple so He is able completely cleanse us from all that`d pollute and profane the new temple of the Spirit [which is our bodies] (1 John 5:8) It could be that you are reading this article and you know that the life that you`ve been living is not worthy of the life you`ve been called to in Christ Jesus, and you are saying this day, I want to make right with my Father, well if that is you, pray the following prayer of repentance, knowing that He said in His word, that when we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)

Prayer of Repentance Dear Heavenly Father, I come to You in the wonderful name of our Lord Jesus Christ of Nazareth. Father I come humbly before thy throne of grace to receive mercy and grace, to help in the time of need. This day I repent of all that is contrary to Your purpose and will for my life in Christ Jesus, and this day I come running to Your wide open arms, as a Son returning to His Father. Lord I pray that You forgive me of every sin (for the ones I committed consciously and the ones I committed in ignorance). Father I thank You for Your word that is working effectively in me, accomplishing your divine purpose in me, for Your Word never returns void, but it accomplishes what You sent it out for. Father I thank you for the word that you spoke over me, before I was formed in my mother`s womb, and I thank you that, I am who You say I am. I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and that He came in the flesh, and He died on the Cross, and God raised Him from the dead on the third day, and He is Lord over all my days. My life is hidden with Christ by You Father. My body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, for Christ is in me. Father I thank you for your unconditional love. I believe Your word for I`m free from all the activities of darkness, for I`ve been set free by the Son of God, and I am free indeed, and I live and function on the earth in name that is above every other name. Father I thank you that the true light is already shining in me and the darkness is fading away. In the mighty name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth I pray. Amen.
Congratulations on your decision, to come back to your Loving father, the bible says there is great joy in heaven over your decision to repent. God bless you, and enjoy your fellowship with Him. for He loves you more than you can ever imagine. He himself is Love.