"THE IMPORTANCE OF TRUE REPENTANCE - YOUR ETERNITY DEPENDS UPON IT! ( With Videos - One a sermon by George Whitefield)" - Inspirational Weekend

 

For some reason, the blood red color of the above bromeliad reminded me of the fact of Jesus' shed blood at the Cross -  His precious blood which alone can wash away our sins and make us a new creature (2 Corinthians 5:17).  God made Jesus to be sin for us!

2 Corinthians 5:17-21 explains:  "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.  And all things are of God, Who hath reconciled us to Himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;  To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.  Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.  For He hath made Him to be sin for us, Who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him."

   The verses above would make the subject of another complete article on this blog, and perhaps that will be done in the future.  The point now concerns the fact that once a person is truly saved and born again (a spiritual rebirth)  he is considered to be a "new creature" because the heavenly Father sees that person as clean, by the blood of Jesus, and sees that person as righteous by Jesus' redemptive act at Calvary -  sees the saved one "through" Jesus, so to speak.  

It does NOT mean that we are perfect, of course, and that we will never sin again.  Due to the fallen flesh inherited from Adam's fall, we will make mistakes and sin occasionally.  However, unlike the world of unsaved lost souls, we will not deliberately and willfully sin.   We will not go against God's will defiantly and assert our own set of "rules" independently of Him.  Sin will not be our predominant nature.  

This leads to the main subject of this post:  Faith and Repentance.  Charles Spurgeon has said that faith and repentance are inseparable.  Check out You Tube for an audio sermon of his on that subject.

Sometimes this blog neglects to always mention repentance when salvation and salvation verses are shared here.  Repentance is a necessary requirement of salvation; and yet, at the same time, repentance is one continuing act.

" I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish."     -  Jesus at Luke 13:3

Following is a 55 minute audio sermon by George Whitefield on the subject:  "A Repentant Heart", based in part on Luke 13:3.  Whitefield was a Methodist evangelist who was born in Gloucester, England, and lived from 1714 to 1770.  When he was very young, he met John and Charles Wesley. Whitefield's sermon below is excellent !  Please watch !  You will be glad you did.

In the above sermon, George Whitefield tells us to not say we do not have the power to change, for Christ will give us the power and strength to do so!  

Here is a link to a wonderful article on repentance at https://www.biblestudytools.com/search/?s=Bibles&q=repentance

The article tells us that confession belongs to repentance and is needed for Divine forgiveness.  Repentance means to turn away from evil, and to turn to good.  One important comment in the above article is , "Repentance is only a condition of salvation and not its meritorious ground," and "repentance requires true brokenness and with a commitment to change."

"From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."  -     Matthew 4:17

Luke 24:46-48 tells us: "And said unto them, "Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in HIs name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.  And ye are witnesses of these things."  

"For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of:  but the sorrow of the world worketh death.  For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yeah, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge!  In all things, ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter."  -   Apostle Paul at 2 Corinthians 7:10-11

"And Jesus answering said unto them, They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick.  I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."    -  Luke 5:31-32

"Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again."   -  Jesus at John 3:7

On the above verse, Charles Spurgeon has written beautifully in his devotion which follows:

"Regeneration is a subject which lies at the very basis of salvation, and we should be very diligent to take heed that we really are "born again", for there are many who fancy they are, who are not.  Be assured that the name of a  Christian is not the nature of a Christian; and that being born in a Christian land, and being recognized as professing the Christian religion is of no avail whatever, unless there be something more added to it -  the being "born again", is a matter so mysterious , that human words cannot describe it.  "The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth.  So is every one that is born of the Spirit."  Nevertheless, it is a change which is known and felt; known by works of holiness, and felt by a gracious experience.  This great work is supernatural.  It is not an operation which a man performs for himself:  a new principle is infused, which works in the heart, renews the soul, and affects the entire man.  It is not a change of my name, but a renewal of my nature, so that I am not the man I used to be, but a new man in Christ Jesus.  To wash and dress a corpse is a far different thing from making it alive:  man can do the one, God alone can do the other.  If you have then, been "born again", your acknowledgment will be :  "O LORD Jesus, the everlasting Father, thou art my spiritual Parent; unless Thy Spirit had breathed into me the breath of a new, holy, and spiritual life, I had been to this day "dead in trespasses and sins."  ... "My heavenly life is wholly derived from Thee -  to Thee I ascribe it."    ,,,  "It is no longer I who live, but Christ Who liveth in me."  -   May the LORD enable us to be well assured on this vital point, for to be unregenerate is to be unsaved, unpardoned, without God, and without hope."  (end of quote).

Following is a beautiful hymn used on this blog previously which is about confession of sin and a contrite heart and God's grace --  and more !

Here once again is Dr. Charles Stanley's short 8 minute video on the way of salvation:

Have a blessed and Christ centered weekend -  and life !

"Are You In The Furnace of Affliction? If So, What To Do?" (With Sermon Clip by Andrew Murray)- Inspirational Weekend

 

[Yellow Protea]

"I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction."  -  Isaiah 48:10

Today, we have the Covid 19 virus, we have lawlessness,  corrupt hearts and minds of many to deal with, and we also are (some of us, particularly the elderly) having health issues other than the virus.  We are concerned about what the future may hold and/or will things ever get better.  All of you are aware of these concerns, and many more.  

The above quoted Scripture at Isaiah can be exceedingly faith building to those of us who are true believers in the Savior, Jesus Christ.  Once again, encouragement can be found by Charles Spurgeon's insight on the above verse, which follows:

 

"Comfort thyself, tried believer, with this thought:  God saith, "I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction".  - Does not the word come like a soft shower, assuaging the fury of the flame?  Yea, is not it an abestos armour, against which the heat hath no power?  Let affliction come -  God hath chosen me.   Poverty, thou mayst stride in at my door, but God is in the house already, and He has chosen me.  Sickness, thou mayst intrude, but I have a balsam ready:  God has chosen me.  Whatsoever befalls me in this vale of tears, I know that He has "chosen" me.  If, believer, thou requirest still greater comfort,  remember that you have the Son of Man with you in the furnace.  In that silent chamber of yours, there sitteth by your side One to Whom thou hast not seen, but Whom thou lovest; and oft times when thou knowest it not,  He makes all thy bed in thy affliction, and smooths thy pillow for thee.  Thou art in poverty, but in that lovely house of thine the Lord of life and glory is a frequent visitor.  He loves to come into these desolate places that He may visit thee.  Thy Friend sticks closely to thee.  Thou canst not see Him, but thou mayst feel the pressure of His hands.  Dost thou not hear His voice?  Even in the valley of the shadow of death  He says "Fear not, I am with thee; be not dismayed, for I am thy God."  

Remember that noble speech of Ceasar "Fear not.  Thou carriest  Ceasar and all his fortune."   Fear not, Christian, Jesus is with thee.  In all thy fiery trials, His presence is both thy comfort and safety.  He will never leave one whom He has chosen for His own.  "Fear not, for I am with thee" is His sure word of promises to His chosen ones in the "furnace of affliction."  Wilt thou not then,  take fast hold of Christ , and say:  "Through floods and flames, if Jesus lead, I'll follow where He goes."

 Spurgeon has a wonderful way with words, doesn't he?  The main thing to cling to, no matter what your trial or affliction, is to stay close to the good Lord and have faith in Him and trust Him with all your heart!  Be often in prayer, and surrender to His will - He knows best!  

As brought out in the following 11 minute audio sermon clip of Andrew Murray's writings, "In suffering, it is the Spirit of God and of His glory that rests on us."  - So abide in Christ!

 Andrew mentions in the above sermon, that our trials and afflictions are often a sign of God at work.... His pruning and purging of us.   Many of you know this.  

Someone has said that trials and such brought on by your enemies, draws you even closer to the good Lord. (Looking to Him for guidance and solace and direction and for a solution.) Friends as a  rule do not do that !  So love your enemies and pray for them!  They can be a blessing from God that makes you turn to Him with greater fervor and frequency! -- and thereby increases your need and love for Him.

"Love your enemies, for they tell you your faults!"  -  Benjamin Franklin

"God's people have their trials.  It was never designed by God, when He chose His people, that they should be an untried people..... They were never chosen to worldly peace and earthly joy."     -  Charles Spurgeon

Remember too, that the Good Lord often lets "bad things happen to good people"  because, being imperfect humans, good people sometimes err and sin, even sin unintentionally, and they need to be chastised and disciplined.  

So the main thing we can do to endure affliction is to just stay in close communion with the Lord.  Pray without ceasing!  Read your Bible daily!  Our heavenly Father and Jesus want to fellowship with us.  You cannot grow to know a Person if you never communicate with Him!  Our main concern, besides obeying the Lord, is to develop a close, intimate, personal, loving and living relationship with God through His Son, Jesus Christ!  That is a wondrous thing,  which will transform your life and blossom into a beautiful and lasting flower of love and glory for the Lord that will last for all of eternity!

 

 

[Shell Ginger]

But what if you are not saved?  Not born again?  Have not believed that Jesus is the Savior and the only way to heaven?   You have not accepted the true fact that Jesus' shed blood at the Cross can wash away your sins and wipe the slate clean, when you realize that He was the Sacrificial Lamb, that redeemed your soul because He took your place on that Cross, by taking on your sins, and paid your sin debt in full, if you will only have faith and believe that He is the Savior.  

Following are some Scriptures to help you to come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ as your Savior.  You need to repent of your sins first !   Some thoughts on that from the Biblical Illustrator Commentary are: 

1.  Repentance involves a deep sorrow and conviction for your sins.

 

2.  A confession of your sins.  (Pray to God for forgiveness, in all sincerity and heartfelt remorse)

 

3. You will then utterly forsake sin (deliberate and willful sin.  We all err unintentionally at times)

4. Repentance is a necessary qualification to fit us for glory.

5. Repentance does not only give us a future evidence for heaven, but puts us into actual possession.

6.  Repentance must be continually in us, and not merely for a Lent-season.

7.  This must increase daily more and more in us.

Much more is written on the Biblical Illustrator Commentary on this subject of repentance.  It would be of benefit to you to look it up on the Web.

The Scriptures of Salvation are:  

"He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him."  -   John 3:36

If you go to the search box on the upper right hand side of this page, and enter topics such as "The Rapture, Jesus' imminent return,"  etc.  you will have those articles on those subjects pop up for you to read and select; some of which have videos.  

Jesus will return very soon, according to the way Bible prophecy is coming true today at warp speed in these, the end times; the last moments of the last days.  

Do not delay in surrendering your heart and life to the Savior!

Jesus loves you and will welcome you with open arms in an embrace overflowing with love and forgiveness !

"(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.) " -   2 Corinthians 6:2

"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father but by Me."    -  John 14:6

 

"Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in Me shall never die.  Believest thou this?"   -  John 11:25-26

 

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him, should not perish, but have everlasting life."    -  John 3:16 

Have a blessed and Christ centered weekend -  and life !!