How to Repent
By John Piper
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)
A vague, bad feeling that you are a crummy person is not the same as conviction for sin. Feeling rotten is not the same as repentance.
This morning I began to pray, and felt unworthy to be talking to the Creator of the universe. It was a vague sense of unworthiness. So I told him so. Now what?
Nothing changed until I began to get specific about my sins. Crummy feelings can be useful if they lead to conviction for specific sins. But vague feelings of being a bad person are not usually very helpful.
The fog of unworthiness needs to take shape into clear dark pillars of disobedience. Then you can point to them and repent and ask for forgiveness and take aim with your gospel bazooka to blow them up.
So I began to call to mind the commands I frequently break. These are the ones that came to mind.
- Love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. Not 95%, but 100%. (Matthew 22:37)
- Love your neighbor as you love yourself. Be as eager for things to go well for him as you are for things to go well for you. (Matthew 22:39)
- Do all things without grumbling. No grumbling — inside or outside. (Philippians 2:14)
- Cast all your anxieties on him — so you are not being weighed down by them anymore. (1 Peter 5:7)
- Only say things that give grace to others — especially those closest to you. (Ephesians 4:29)
- Redeem the time. Don’t fritter away the minutes, or dawdle. (Ephesians 5:16)
So much for any pretensions to great holiness! I’m undone.
This is much worse than vague, crummy feelings. Ah, but now the enemy is visible. The sins are specific. They’ve come out of hiding. I look them in the eye. I’m not whining about feeling crummy. I’m apologizing to Christ for not doing specific things that he commanded.
I’m broken, and I’m angry at my sin. I want to kill it, not me. I’m not suicidal. I’m a sin-hater and a sin-murderer. (“Put to death what is earthly in you,” Colossians 3:5; “Put to death the deeds of the body,” Romans 8:13.) I want to live. That’s why I’m a killer — of my sin!
In this conflict, I hear the promise, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). Peace rises.
Now, prayer feels possible and right and powerful again.
Morning Thoughts and Revelations
So many are invoking God in all the conversations,in all the world stage bluster. So many are speaking of God given rights. His Gifts,His blessings, His ways. Yet are we following? And who are we following? Do they infact and by actions Know the Holy One through His Holy Son? Are they acting like it?
Are we following through the Son, as sons? Are we following the Master utilizing His ways,His actions? So many want to group up on the same side as One. Are we? Are we on the same side?
It is said Through His Son we can be granted everlasting life, and i hold this Truth to be so. And yet here on this earth, do we the people understand God? Do we understand that His Rights and blessings come with certain responsibilities? These gifts and blessings are not free and are not everlasting no matter how we behave ,act,and how many times we proclaim we have them! So many are in the mindset that we deserve them simply by invoking His name or His title.
There is nothing we can do to deserve them! Are there consequences when we do not follow The Masters (The Messiahs) ways? Search the Gospels for the Truth.
If Yahua sent a Jonah to this world at this time, would they listen, would the leaders listen and take the appropriate action,or would many become prideful,childish and rebel?
Follower your comments here are so accurate that the only thing left to say is AMEN!
Good morning Will,
i believe these are His words , His message, all Glory to Him.