Repentance

She was a beautiful girl. She was popular in school. But her moods were getting strange. She began isolating herself. She was getting into a dark place.

Then something changed. Quickly she reversed and has been chosen as Homecoming Queen.

What happened that caused her to change back, to reverse? Do you know someone that could, or maybe SHOULD reverse? What is it? And can anyone do it?

The answers are coming.

Intro

Let’s get the easy answers first.

Can anyone do this?

Anyone CAN do it. Anyone can make changes for the better. Anyone can get out of the dark place they are in.

Now, also be certain that you can not force them to change. The only person you can change is you. But you can give them reasons and motivation to change if THEY want to.

The Bible word is used 34 times in the New Testament and is most often translated as “Repentance”.

I don’t use this word. What does repentance mean?

You are right. We don’t use the word very often, so, do we understand its meaning?

One scholar said it is to “think differently” or to morally reconsider. Another scholar said it is “to change one’s mind,” specifically as to changing bad behaviors.

With God’s help, anyone can do this. He said, “2 Corinthians 7:10  For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death.”

Is Repentance the same as regret or remorse?

Good question. Repentance is NOT the same as regret or remorse. It is not being sad that you “got caught.” The verse we just read is saying just that.

Let me illustrate. Do you remember the story of Judas? I mean, the part AFTER he had betrayed Jesus? The Bible says he felt REMORSE (Matt 27:3). Two verses later In Matt 27:5 it says he went out and hung himself. Just as the Bible said, “worldly grief produces death”.

Regret or remorse for being caught is not enough to cause a moral change, a moral reversal

Where does real Repentance or reversal come from?

That’s easy. It comes from Belief. If you have not watched the video on Belief in this series, please, for your sake, pause this video and watch it first, then return to finish this video.

You remember that belief is TRUST PLUS ACTION. When you are trusting Jesus you listen to him and do what he says.

Once he said, “Luke 13:3  “I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.”

Acts 17:30 says, Acts 17:30  “Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now declaring to men that all people everywhere should repent,…”

So, if YOU trust what Jesus is saying, YOU will act. YOU will repent. YOU will do a 180-degree reversal.

So, if YOU believe Jesus and his words, YOU will act. YOU will stop lying, as the Devil does, and start telling the truth all the time (Col 3:9). YOU will be a blessing to people instead of gossiping and slandering them (Col 3:8).

Your reversal will be from being greedy to being generous (Col 3:5).

Your repentance will be from anger and malice to peacemaking (Col 3:5; Matt 5:9).

And just like believing is a continuous action word, so is repentance. Once you start repent-ING, because you trust Jesus, you will keep on repent-ING of the things Jesus has said are wrong, hurtful, and sinful.

Because you are, with God’s help, reversing your actions to things Jesus says are good, (Gal 5:22-23) you will become joyful. Everyone wants to be around joyful people. You will become patient with others. Everyone likes that. You will become kind, good, and gentle. And no one opposes these good qualities.

I want this, but I don’t know what to do. 

Since you want this kind of reversal, this kind of change, but are unsure how to get it started, right now, contact TimelessTalks with either a voice message or a text. You could also use the contact page for an email response. We are capable of doing text, phone calls, email, downloadable or printed materials, and video conferencing. All Free. All without any obligation.

Timeless Talks just wants you to have a better life starting right now. And if you keep trusting and acting, you can live forever.

Thanks for watching. We look forward to you stopping by again tomorrow. Until then, Goodbye for now.