Matthew 4:17 From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”
The very first sermon of Jesus was about repentance. Repentance is a decision never to repeat the repugnant actions, behavior or misdeeds. Repentance means a right about turn with a firm resolution never to return back to the rut. Repentance is the first step to the stairs of transformation, reformation and renovation of our mind, mouth and manner. Remorse makes us sorrowful and ashamed but repentance is the painful surgery that gets rid of the cancerous sinful nature embedded in our soul. “Four marks of true repentance are: acknowledgement of wrong, willingness to confess it, willingness to abandon it, and willingness to make restitution.” — Corrie ten Boom.
Jesus started His preaching journey calling people to repentance as ‘repentance’ is the door to the renewed and renovated life. Jesus preached to those who were not only under the tyranny of the Romans but also the slavery of sin. “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor (Luke 4:18-19). Repentance brings heaven to earth. Heaven is God’s address and repentance brings the presence of God into our hearts and homes. ‘Kingdom of God’ is the whole universe as everything seen and unseen belongs to Him. But, the ‘Kingdom of Heaven’ is where God’s throne is established. Repentance extends the kingdom of heaven into our heart. Our homes will be filled with joy, unity and love when there is true repentance. There was joy, laughter and dancing in the house of the prodigal after he returned home in repentance. (Luke 15:29-30). Sin brings curses into our life but repentance is the door to blessings.
1st Key to turn curses into blessings:
1. Innate: Repentance is not a temporary excuse to feel better; it is a permanent change in our walk. Sin and hell are married unless repentance proclaims the divorce – Charles Spurgeon. Repentance is to divorce the innate pride, short temperedness, cynicism, slyness and envy.
2. Inherited: Repentance plucks out the inborn nature that we have inherited from our bloodline. This applies to bloodline behavior patterns as well as hereditary disease. Repentance infuses the blood of Jesus and transfuses the DNA of Jesus into our lineage.
3. Intrinsic: Repentance changes the intrinsic values and increases our worth and value in the Kingdom of God. When we have a complete turnaround, we might lose some friends and even the favour of men, but will gain intrinsic value that cannot be measured by money.
Repentance brings the favour of God back into our lives and turns the dry parched soul into a flourishing blooming garden. Repentance is the first step to turn the curses into blessings.
Acts 2:38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Prayer: Father God, show me if there is any hidden rebellion or revelry that I have to repent of. I surrender to follow you with all of my being. Amen
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