Repentance

Pastor J. R. Wilhite, author   Close Window

"Repent" is what John said at the river. He was preparing the way for Jesus, for true repentance.

Why were the ones who repented dunked in water?

Because it was a sign they understood that they needed to change their ways and we were willing to take that step.

What is repentance?

To repent is to change.

If your are heading west, to repent would be to turn around and head east.

But, as with all change, it can happen again. If that occurs, you would be heading west again.

John's idea was to make people aware, so they would know that change was necessary, and would desire it.

Until Jesus came there was no true way to change.

For some the only way real change happens is if they get so tired of something in their life that they are totally fed up with it.

Yes, there are some things that can be changed just by choice, but there are those things with which one has to become so completely disgusted that they can no longer be tolerated. Some of these things are depraved behavior like participating in adultery, pornography, drug use, etc.

When some people get saved they are imediately delivered from addictions like alcohol, drugs, cigarettes, etc. However, it is not the same for everyone.

Let's review the different levels of repentance:

1^st We recognize the need to repent (change).

2^nd Some are delivered at salvation.

3^rd Some are delivered through the anointing.

4^th Some choose to change, and are successful.

5^th Some have to be turned over to sin, hit bottom & get totally fed up with the sin to change.

Salvation is being saved from death, hell, and the

grave. It is also being saved from whatever you NEED

salvation from. Salvation is the way for us to have life

eternal with God. It enables us to have a relationship

with God.

To get our salvation we must change. We cannot continue in the same direction we were heading before. To help us, God gave us a way to change, that is repentance. Once we change, we need to stay on our new path. If we stray, the Holy Spirit is there to remind us of the right direction.

Remember to keep the Holy Spirit (the Holy Wind of God) always at your back. The way will be easier, and you will be helped along the way. The dirt will not blow in your eyes so you can see better, and you will not stray.

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