Genuine Repentance

"Real Repentance Builds Character"

by Steve Arterburn

When you are in distress and all these things have happened to you, you will return to the Lord your God in later days and obey Him. He will not leave you, destroy you, or forget the covenant with your fathers that He swore to them by oath, because the Lord your God is a compassionate God. Deuteronomy 4:30-31 HCSB


Who among us has sinned? All of us. But, God calls upon us to turn away from sin by following His commandments. And the good news is this: When we do ask God’s forgiveness and turn our hearts to Him, He forgives us absolutely and completely.


Genuine repentance requires more than simply offering God apologies for our misdeeds. Real repentance may start with feelings of sorrow and remorse, but it ends only when we turn away from the sin that has heretofore distanced us from our Creator. In truth, we offer our most meaningful apologies to God, not with our words, but with our actions. As long as we are still engaged in sin, we may be ‘repenting,’ but we have not fully ‘repented.’


Is there an aspect of your life that is distancing you from your God? If so, ask for His forgiveness, and’just as importantly’ stop sinning. Then, wrap yourself in the protection of God’s Word. When you do, both you and your character will be secure.


But suppose we do sin. Suppose we slip and fall. Suppose we yield to temptation for a moment. What happens? We have to confess that sin. Billy Graham


Repentance begins with confession of our guilt and recognition that our sin is against God. Charles Stanley


When true repentance comes, God will not hesitate for a moment to forgive, cast the sins in the sea of forgetfulness, and put the child on the road to restoration. Beth Moore


Four marks of true repentance are: acknowledgement of wrong, willingness to confess it, willingness to abandon it, and willingness to make restitution. Corrie ten Boom


The one who conceals his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them will find mercy. Proverbs 28:13 HCSB   Character builder
If you’re engaged in behavior that is displeasing to God, today is the day to stop. First, confess your sins to God. Then, ask Him what actions you should take in order to make things right again.

~* Just a reminder, I am having a giveaway for the month of January that you may sign up for until the 17th and I will announce the winner the following day.  Read "giveaways" label at top of page for more info!