TRUE REPENTANCE PART II
People who conceal their sins will not prosper, but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy. (Proverbs 28:13)
True repentance brings with it a desire to please God and follow a different path than we first were. Today we will learn one meaning of repentance, and tomorrow another.
The word “repentance” comes from two words:
“EPISTREFO” = return, turn halfway around”
- This is like a person that is walking toward an abyss. They continue walking on the bad path toward getting lost. The person that recognizes and confesses their sins but doesn’t go further than that is like someone that remains stuck on the wrong path. They stay stuck there and after some time, they continue to walk toward the abyss. But true repentance signifies walking in the opposite direction.
- True repentance means parting from and hating sin:
It is not enough to confess sin. It’s necessary to part from it. In other words, don’t do it anymore. Example: if a thief has truly repented, he will voluntarily return what he had stolen. If a liar truly repents, he will correct his lies and speak the truth.
People who conceal their sins will not prosper, but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy. (Proverbs 28:13)
Think about it:
Have you recognized your sins?
Have you parted from your ways and gone in the other direction?
What do you think can help you to not continue committing the same sins?