Plain talk. Keeping it scripture light in OP.
What is repentance? Repentance is changing your mind from thinking outside of the will of God. Whenever we are confronted with the Word of God, and this Word exposes a difference to our current paradigm or way of thinking, a choice is made to believe the Word of God instead of our current paradigm. And where our mind is truly changed, our behaviour follows therefrom.
For example, the world has been pushing the Abortion agenda and women’s right to choose. If we are swept up into this thinking, and then are confronted with scriptures from the Word saying thou shalt not murder, and other references to God knowing us in the womb, we have an affront to our current way of thinking. We are faced with a choice, either continue in our current way in opposition to the Word, or we change our minds and belief to conform with the Word of God. The tension that exists during his period can be weighty, since the current paradigms may seem nice to have, and we may think we have it all figured out – and also the fact that change doesn’t come easily to the human nature.
But if we are to live in harmony with God, we are to yield to the leading of the Holy Spirit. The law is written on our hearts in the new covenant. Any thinking contrary to these laws written on our hearts (conscience) will be evidenced by a check in the Spirit. Learning to discern this is crucial to the Christian walk of faith. CONFORMING to the Word of God in terms of belief is true repentance.
So when John the Baptist and Jesus call the people to repent for the kingdom of God is at hand – they call them to change their minds about their disobedient and contrary ways, and believe in their Messiah. But repentance doesn’t stop at conversion. Nor was it a one time only event. It is continual, because the very process of sanctification entails the renewing of the mind Romans 12v2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
Sin is acting outside of God’s will (missing the mark). That is why repentance is the very requirement to deal with this – change your mind to conform to God’s will. Seek out the truth that God has revealed on a matter. Ask the Spirit to guide you into all truth. If you believe God (that means believe His Word) then your behaviour cannot follow your old paradigm – because you no longer think that way.
What is repentance? Repentance is changing your mind from thinking outside of the will of God. Whenever we are confronted with the Word of God, and this Word exposes a difference to our current paradigm or way of thinking, a choice is made to believe the Word of God instead of our current paradigm. And where our mind is truly changed, our behaviour follows therefrom.
For example, the world has been pushing the Abortion agenda and women’s right to choose. If we are swept up into this thinking, and then are confronted with scriptures from the Word saying thou shalt not murder, and other references to God knowing us in the womb, we have an affront to our current way of thinking. We are faced with a choice, either continue in our current way in opposition to the Word, or we change our minds and belief to conform with the Word of God. The tension that exists during his period can be weighty, since the current paradigms may seem nice to have, and we may think we have it all figured out – and also the fact that change doesn’t come easily to the human nature.
But if we are to live in harmony with God, we are to yield to the leading of the Holy Spirit. The law is written on our hearts in the new covenant. Any thinking contrary to these laws written on our hearts (conscience) will be evidenced by a check in the Spirit. Learning to discern this is crucial to the Christian walk of faith. CONFORMING to the Word of God in terms of belief is true repentance.
So when John the Baptist and Jesus call the people to repent for the kingdom of God is at hand – they call them to change their minds about their disobedient and contrary ways, and believe in their Messiah. But repentance doesn’t stop at conversion. Nor was it a one time only event. It is continual, because the very process of sanctification entails the renewing of the mind Romans 12v2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
Sin is acting outside of God’s will (missing the mark). That is why repentance is the very requirement to deal with this – change your mind to conform to God’s will. Seek out the truth that God has revealed on a matter. Ask the Spirit to guide you into all truth. If you believe God (that means believe His Word) then your behaviour cannot follow your old paradigm – because you no longer think that way.
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