True Repentance and Its Evidences

The Nature of Repentance

Those days, our pastors challenged us with the word of God to prove or bring forth the fruits of repentance.

• Repentance is not an abstract idea or notion that one gives a mental assent to.
•  It is not a religious dogma that one believes without any practical consequence on his life and behavior.
•  Repentance produces fruits and works in all those who have truly repented. Many people talk about repentance and the effect on the lives of the penitent.
• All who have repented must show the evidence of that repentance by bringing forth the fruits of repentance.

‘Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance: And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire’ (Matthew 3:8-10).

False Ministers and True Repentance

• Many great evangelists, pastors, prophets and other titled ministers gather multitudes but cannot show tangible fruits of repentance of the flock.
• There are ministers, pastors who are ministering to many, pastoring many but they refused to be ministered to or pastored.
•  They just learn one kingdom language, got occult power and start deceiving people. They boast of their gifts, talents, prosperity, claim to attend bible school, deliverance school, prayer school but they cannot bring forth any fruit of their acclaimed repentance.
• They exact people, tell lies with God’s name, prophesy falsely to take members money. Most of them are jobless, lazy and possessed by evil spirits. Prodigal sons and daughters that refuse to repent.
•  True repentance leads to a change of conduct, change of mind and must produce a change of action.
•  It is not a mere change of opinion; it goes much deeper to bring real reformation of life. Repentance consists of a radical change of mind about God, sin, about self and about the world.
•  Previously, sin was delighted in, but now it is hated and mourned over.
•  Previously, self was esteemed, but now it is abhorred.
•  Previously, you are of the world and his friendship was sought and prized, now your hearts have been diverted from the world and you regard it as your enemy.
• Repentance softens the hard soil of the soul and makes it receptive to the gospel seed.
• To repent is to confess and forsake all known sins.

‘He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy’ (Proverbs 28:13).

The Evidence of True Repentance

• Repentance is turning away from sin, turning of heart against sin, change of heart concerning sin.
• Without true repentance, you cannot believe in Christ to be saved.
•  Mental acknowledgement of Christ is not faith in Christ. The heart that clings to sin cannot truly exercise faith in Christ.

‘And I will lay it waste: it shall not be pruned, nor digged; but there shall come up briers and thorns: I will also command the clouds that they rain no rain upon it. For the vineyard of the LORD of hosts is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah his pleasant plant: and he looked for judgment, but behold oppression; for righteousness, but behold a cry’ (Isaiah 5:6-7).

• To have faith in Christ is to put your complete trust in Him for forgiveness, peace and reconciliation with God.
• When you repent and believe in Christ, you are saved. To be secured in Christ, you must continue following Christ, obeying His words.
•  There is no security for the rebellious or sinning Christian.
•  The foundation of security is the grace of God and the evidence of grace is continual victory over sin, the flesh and the world.
•  True repentance produces always the fruits of righteousness and new life.

‘I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee. Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes’ (Job 42:5).

• If you repent truly, you discontinue from your old ways of evil word, like jokes, old use of sinful slangs and conversation, evil business tricks.
•  If you remain cold and lukewarm in spiritual matters, identify yourself with the impenitent unrepentant world, you are not born again.

If you are born-again, you will abhor detestable sins like the following –

1. Pride – (Proverbs 6:16-17, 16:18-19, 21:4, Mark 7:20-23, 1Timothy 3:6, James 4:6).
2. Lying – (Proverbs 6:17, 11:1, 19:9, Ephesians 4:25, Revelation 21:8).
3. Murder – (Proverbs 6:17, Romans 1:28-32, Matthew 5:21-22, 1John 3:15).
4. Evil imaginations and plans – (Proverbs 6:18, Micah 2:1-3, Job 5:12).
5. Mischief and wickedness – (Proverbs 6:12-15, 18, Isaiah 59:1-8, Acts 13:10-11).
6. Perjury – (Proverbs 6:19, 19:5, 25:18, Exodus 23:1, Deuteronomy 19:16-21).
7. Sowing discord – (Proverbs 6:12-15, 19, 16:28, 2 Thessalonians 3:11, 1Timothy 5:13).
8. Adultery and fornication – (Proverbs 6:25-35, 7:24-27, Job 31:9-12, Mark 7:20-23, Acts 15:29, 1Corinthians 6:9-10, Revelation 2:20-23).
9. Stealing – (Ephesians 4:29, Psalms 12:3, 52:2-4, Proverbs 16:27-28, 26:22, Matthew 12:34-37).
10. Bitterness and wrath – (Ephesians 4:31, Hebrews 12:15-17, James 3:14-16).
11. Anger and clamor – (Ephesians 4:31, Psalm 37:8, Proverbs 6:32, Mathew 5:22).
12. Malice – (Ephesians 4:3, Colossians 3:8, 1Peter 2:1).
13. Grieving the Holy Spirit – (Ephesians 4:30, Isaiah 63:10, Acts 5:3, 7:51).
14. Uncleanness – (Ephesians 5:3, Romans 1:23-24, 6:21, 1Thessalonians 4:7).
15. Covetousness – (Ephesians 5:3, Colossians 3:5, Exodus 20:17, Ezekiel 33:31, Luke 12:15).
16. Filthiness – (Ephesians 5:4, James 1:21, 2Peter 2:10, Psalms 53:1-4).
17. Foolish talking – (Ephesians 5:4, James 1:26-27, Proverbs 10:19, 1Peter 3:10).
18. Jesting – (Ephesians 5:4, Proverbs 26:18-19).