Repentance - Part Three

So how do we repent? James MacDonald suggests that the best biblical model for repentance is the story of the prodigal son found in Luke 15:11-32. (let me encourage you to take some time and read through that text) MacDonald then writes that repentance involves the mind, the emotions, and the will. (I Really Want to Change...So, Help Me God, 92)

First is the mind. In the story of the prodigal son verse 17 says that he "came to his senses." We too must come to our senses we must begin to see our sin for what it really is - disgusting and destructive!

Second is the emotions. As we discussed earlier, grief is the appropriate emotion (2 Corinthians 7:10). Our sin should grieve us and not just because we suffer the consequences of it, but because it displeases and grieves our Father. The prodigal was grieved by his sin; he returned home guilty, humble, and weeping.

Third is the will. Here is where the rubber meets the road; here is where plans begin to form, that is, plans to avoid our specific sin in the future. So, what will you do to avoid your sin in the future? Let me give you a few suggestions:

1. Accountability is a must. Find someone you can depend on to provide you with biblical encouragement.
2. Renewing your mind with Scripture is also vitally important. You must continue to remind yourself what God has to say about your sin. (Ephesians 4:20-24)
   
3. Finally radical amputation may be necessary (Matthew 5:29-30).

I know this is a pretty simplistic approach to a big issue, but my hope is you might find some help in these posts. If you are struggling and need some one on one counsel don't hesitate to let me know.

Repentance - Part One

Repentance is more than saying, "I'm sorry;" it's more than regret. To repent means to change your mind (and purpose) about something. In his book I Really Want to Change...So, Help Me God, James MacDonald defines repentance as the process of seeing our sin the way that God sees our sin. I love that definition because it reveals a much deeper issue: we don't like to call sin, sin. In a recent Wednesday night discussion we were talking about getting frustrated by circumstances that don't go the way we want them to go. In the discussion that word "frustrated" kept getting used, over and over again. Until someone finally called frustration what the Bible calls it: Anger. You see "anger" is a much heavier word than 'frustration.' But we resist the heavier words; we make light of our sin or we don't even classify our sin as sin.

I write all this to direct our attention to the first step of repentance - recognizing our sin; recognizing what needs to change; viewing our sin as God views our sin. James MacDonald asks these provoking questions: "Can you name a specific area of your life that is not like that of Christ and is bringing you heartache and struggle because of it? What specific thing is God seeking to work on in you?" He then goes on to list 5 steps to help us get specific in naming our sin:

1. Ask God for wisdom to know exactly what He wants to change in you. (James 1.2-7)
2. Review Biblical lists for attitudes and behaviors to change. (Colossians 3.5-10; Galatians 5:16-21; etc.)
3. Isolate your own areas of need.
4. Confess to a friend.
5. Express to the Lord your willingness to change.

So here is where we must begin, calling our sin what God calls our sin; seeing our sin the way God sees it. Let me encourage you to spend some time searching the Scriptures and allowing the Spirit to search your heart and we will pick up here tomorrow.