New creature

AM I REALLY SAVED?

Repent & Believe - why obeying matters.

Am I Doing those things that prove I have turned to God and have changed the way I think? 

◄ Matthew 3:8 ►

There is no possible way you or I can be genuinely sorry and repentant if we do not clearly see that, when we sin, it is the Word of God that we have ignored or forgotten. We offend our Father in heaven, our Eternal, our Creator, our life giver and life sustainer—and that is why we need to correct and change what we have done.

Paul's words in 2 Corinthians 7:9. He told the Corinthians it did not in any way excite him to see them be sorry, unless their sorrow was toward God and led to repentance or change. Verse 10 points out the difference between worldly sorrow and the sorrow found in repentance that works—worldly sorrow leads to death, whereas the sorrow in true repentance leads to salvation . . . godly sorrow (sorrow toward God) breeds a fire inside us that stirs excitement and diligence and zeal for the truth of God. 

In turn we grow in faith and we begin to change how we think and how we operate.

Repentance Involves an Inward Repulsiveness to Sin, Followed by the Actual Forsaking of It 

Job's example is one that stands out when considering this point. In the final chapter (chapter 42:1-6) we see Job showing that he understood what he was not aware of when God first allowed him to be tested. He says in verse 6, "I abhor myself." He was repulsed by sin in him and he was more determined than ever to change what needed to be changed so that he would not continue to sin.

I don't know anyone who professes to be Christian who wants to sin. However, there is an enormous difference between not wanting to sin and not sinning because we hate it.

Bryant: "There is a big difference between wanting to and willing to." 

In Matthew 3:8 we see the same words that we saw in Acts 26. A Christian bears fruit worthy of repentance. It's much more than a wanting to. It is a willing to.

First comes the recognition that we sinned against God, then comes an inward repulsiveness to sin, followed by the actual forsaking of it. And lastly comes the humble self-surrender to the will and service of God. 

Paul at the time of his conversion (Acts 9:1-6) said, "What do You want me to do?" This is the heart, the attitude, you and I have if we are saved.

This is such a teachable frame of mind, one that is willing to not only learn, but do whatever it takes to be right with God. This is humility—this is the heart of a servant. This reflects a spirit of repentance, a change from where we once were.

If we are struggling to overcome a certain sin, why not ask ourself, Do I really understand repentance that works, and am I really willing to practice it? Am I truly willing to change?

If we need encouragement in this arena, perhaps we could remind ourselves of the positive lesson in 2 Chronicles 15:1-4. It is so very important for each of us to never forget that, if and when we truly turn to God in repentance, no matter what the situation, He is there and we will know it. "When in their trouble they turned to the Lord God of Israel, and sought Him, He was found by them" (verse 4).

Repentance that works involves much more than being sorry for what we have lost or for being caught or for being depressed. Repentance that works requires practicing steps that lead to change. - QUOTED PARAPHRASED and CONDENSED

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