Repentance

bcbsr

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Repentance

What is "Repentance"?
The word for "repentance" in the New Testament is μετανοια "metanoia" in Greek. "μετα" meaning "change" and "noia" meaning "to think about". So repetance is to change the way you think about stuff. It is not referring directly to a change of behavior, but rather a change of mind or of attitude. It deals with the realm is ideas.

It can go without saying that while faith is the SOLE condition for salvation, faith involves a change of attitude, a change of the way you think about certain things, and thus repentance is part of what it means to believe. When Jesus says in Mark 1:15 "Repent, and believe in the gospel.", he's saying "change your mind from not believing the gospel to believing the gospel". This is why the word "repent" or "repentance" is seldom used. Never in the gospel of John. Only once in Romans, which is an extensive diagnostic presentation of the gospel. It's seldom used because to change one's mind, one ideas, one thoughts, one's attitudes, is incorporated in what it means to believe.

What does Repentance involve?
To believe the gospel a person may have to change his mind about a number of things.
  • He may have to change is mind about God, God's existence, God's character or characteristics, to be in line with how God is portrayed in scripture.
  • That God is not simply Creator, but the Lord God and that unlike idols, God speaks, God commands, God insists upon conforming his design, such as his design of gender and marriage, that people comply with His demands concerning how to treat others. And that God is just and that God is judge, all being subject to judgement on His terms, rather than our terms. God defines what constitutes sin, not us.
  • The person may have to change his mind about Jesus, who he is, being God incarnate, the LORD.
  • The person may have to change his mind about himself, that he is not good, he is wicked and on his way to hell in light of God standard of righteousness.
  • The person may have to change his mind about how he can be reconciled with God, not by his works or behavior or through religious rituals or attendance or involvement in religious organizations, but simply by believing the gospel and so doing accepting eternal life as a free gift.
What about works?

"I preached that they should repent and turn to God and prove their repentance by their deeds." Acts 26:20b Deeds of repentance are not the cause but the proof
of Saving Faith.

A change of mind is evident in a change of deeds, a change of behavior. A person is saved by faith apart from works, but then as a saved, eternally secure child of God, the believer will apply his faith. And as is implied above:

Saving Faith Results in the Intention to Repent of Sin

As an example of application oriented faith note Zacchaeus of Luke 19. He was a wealthy tax collector Jesus came to visit. Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, "Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount." Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham." Notice that Jesus declared this man saved when he simply declared his INTENTION to repent of sin. Zacchaeus had not given away half his possessions to the poor, and he still had the money in his pockets which he had cheated out of others. He had not done any good work at this point. Yet Jesus declared him saved. Furthermore, why did he happen to express his intention to repent of sin at that moment? While the text doesn't tell us explicitly, I think it's safe to say that he expressed such an intention because he had come to believe in Jesus.

More generally we could say, Saving Faith results in visible applications of that faith. Absent such applications calls into question whether one's alleged faith is the faith the Bible speaks of. Saving Faith is a Conviction in which one weighs its implications and consequences.

The Berean Christian Bible Study Resources
 

Halbhh

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Without assuming I understand perfectly all you think on this (I don't assume that), and not even assuming we are using all the various related words and wordings in precisely the same ways, I wonder how you take this:
Acts 3:19 Repent, then, and turn back, so that your sins may be wiped away,
(seemingly 2 actions instead of only 1)

And this:
Matthew 3:8 Therefore produce fruit worthy of repentance.

New Living Translation
Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God.

For instance, is the NLT a mistranslation then, in your view. I'm asking more to understand how you see all such things.

Just for completeness, then do you take this to mean a different meaning? --
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
(do you take "confess" then to mean not only to admit sincerely, but additionally to also renounce and feel contrition about, so that's it's more than just saying/admitting, but additionally it's an attitude, a real contrition? This might be what some think of 'repentance' to include: a real desire to turn away from sin (regardless of degree of future success in always doing so))
 
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BrotherJJ

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I agree with the OP writer. It's unfortunate, that people invariably, tie the word REPENTANCE to sin.

There are many OT verses where a SINLESS God repents. Gen 6:6-7, Deut 32:36, Jud 2:18, 1 Sam 15:11 & 29 to name a few.

Acts 3:19 Context is always key:
I'll begin with Verse 12: Ye men of Israel.
Verse 13: Our God has glorified His Son/The long promised Christ. Every Jew was looking forward to the promised Messiah.
Verse 14: You rejected Christ & desired a murderer to be granted unto you.
Verse 15: You had Christ killed but, God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses.
Verse 16: It's his name thru faith in his name that made this lame man, that u know, strong.
Verse 17: I know you did it in ignorance.
Verse 18: God via scripture & his prophets. Had foretold that Christ should suffer, he hath so fulfilled.
Verse 19: Repent (change your destructive chosen direction) & be converted (I'm paraphrasing from Judaism to Christianity) that all your sins, one day will be remised/pardoned.

My point is context here is about killing their promised Messiah & not about sin or sins in general.

A 2nd point I'd like to make. I believe 1 Jn 1:9 is a one time, HEART FELT, event. This notion we are to confess every sin is, well, impossible. In Matt (5:28) Jesus includes impure thoughts.

Acts 10:44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.
(NOTE: These gentiles REPENTED FROM NOTHING, had not been water baptized, they had brought no temple sacrifice, hadn't obeyed any Mosaic laws etc. By/thru Faith & Faith alone they were FOREVER SEALED with/by God's Holy Spirit. A Spiritual baptism/circumcision, done without hands (Col 2:11) & done by Christ & Christ alone (Matt 3:11)

King James Bible
Rom 2:4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?
(NOTE: It's not thru our greatness of obedience that we repent/change our thinking outlook. It's the indwelling Holy Spirit that leads us to repent/change our thinking/direction/outlook).

Amplified Bible
Rom 2:4 Or do you have no regard for the wealth of His kindness and tolerance and patience [in withholding His wrath]? Are you [actually] unaware or ignorant [of the fact] that God’s kindness leads you to repentance [that is, to change your inner self, your old way of thinking—seek His purpose for your life]?
(NOTE: It's not thru our greatness of obedience that we repent/change our thinking outlook. It's the indwelling Holy Spirit that leads us to repent/change our thinking outlook).

Final thought: When the Holy Spirit reveals to a believer. They've misses the mark/sinned (we all will) they should praise & thank God for the forgiveness already provided thru FAITH in Christ's finished sin atoning work. To whom be all the glory! Amen
 
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Phil W

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I agree with the OP writer. It's unfortunate, that people invariably, tie the word REPENTANCE to sin.

There are many OT verses where a SINLESS God repents. Gen 6:6-7, Deut 32:36, Jud 2:18, 1 Sam 15:11 & 29 to name a few.

Acts 3:19 Context is always key:
I'll begin with Verse 12: Ye men of Israel.
Verse 13: Our God has glorified His Son/The long promised Christ. Every Jew was looking forward to the promised Messiah.
Verse 14: You rejected Christ & desired a murderer to be granted unto you.
Verse 15: You had Christ killed but, God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses.
Verse 16: It's his name thru faith in his name that made this lame man, that u know, strong.
Verse 17: I know you did it in ignorance.
Verse 18: God via scripture & his prophets. Had foretold that Christ should suffer, he hath so fulfilled.
Verse 19: Repent (change your destructive chosen direction) & be converted (I'm paraphrasing from Judaism to Christianity) that all your sins, one day will be remised/pardoned.

My point is context here is about killing their promised Messiah & not about sin or sins in general.

A 2nd point I'd like to make. I believe 1 Jn 1:9 is a one time, HEART FELT, event. This notion we are to confess every sin is, well, impossible. In Matt (5:28) Jesus includes impure thoughts.

Acts 10:44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.
(NOTE: These gentiles REPENTED FROM NOTHING, had not been water baptized, they had brought no temple sacrifice, hadn't obeyed any Mosaic laws etc. By/thru Faith & Faith alone they were FOREVER SEALED with/by God's Holy Spirit. A Spiritual baptism/circumcision, done without hands (Col 2:11) & done by Christ & Christ alone (Matt 3:11)

King James Bible
Rom 2:4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?
(NOTE: It's not thru our greatness of obedience that we repent/change our thinking outlook. It's the indwelling Holy Spirit that leads us to repent/change our thinking/direction/outlook).

Amplified Bible
Rom 2:4 Or do you have no regard for the wealth of His kindness and tolerance and patience [in withholding His wrath]? Are you [actually] unaware or ignorant [of the fact] that God’s kindness leads you to repentance [that is, to change your inner self, your old way of thinking—seek His purpose for your life]?
(NOTE: It's not thru our greatness of obedience that we repent/change our thinking outlook. It's the indwelling Holy Spirit that leads us to repent/change our thinking outlook).

Final thought: When the Holy Spirit reveals to a believer. They've misses the mark/sinned (we all will) they should praise & thank God for the forgiveness already provided thru FAITH in Christ's finished sin atoning work. To whom be all the glory! Amen
If people have faith in God, they will not commit sin.
Is that "change" enough for you?

My Strong's concordance includes "turn from" in it's interpretation of the word "repentance".
As turning from something equates to a change, my change was from sinner to non-sinner
My repentance was from sin.
 
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Halbhh

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people invariably, tie the word REPENTANCE to sin.
Yes, we confess we have been sinners -- that we need Christ as our redeemer. From faith, we believe He redeems us from our sins -- we are admitting we have sinned.

The understanding that repentance is turning away from sin/sinfulness comes from scripture --

Revelation 2:21 Even though I have given her time to repent of her immorality, she is unwilling.

Acts 8:22 Repent, therefore, of your wickedness, and pray to the Lord. Perhaps He will forgive you for the intent of your heart.

(20 Peter answered: “May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money! 21 You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God. 22 Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord in the hope that he may forgive you for having such a thought in your heart. 23 For I see that you are full of bitterness and captive to sin.”)

I take it for granted anyone would of course read all of the passage, and better, all of the book, just as a basic level of reading.

If one truly comes to Christ in faith, they are admitting they are a sinner(!), and they need Him (they need His redemption of them from their sins/sinfulness)....

But my post to the OP wasn't about this one piece in particular -- not what I'm asking about in post#2, which you responded to -- but instead I asked @bcbsr for more information, specifically how he sees confession (and vis-a-vis repentance) in his understanding/doctrine. Does he include that confessing is necessary and indispensable? He may, but I cannot tell from his OP post, and repentance goes hand in hand with confession, so it seems very incomplete to discuss repentance more than a few sentences without getting to confession.

By the way, did you see in the OP " Notice that Jesus declared this man saved when he simply declared his INTENTION to repent of sin." ? Did you agree with that. It's confusing to say you agree with the OP yet say repentance isn't turning away from sin.
 
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HardHead

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To me, repentance is a change of mind.

This means that its a change in how you see certain actions vs. how you may have seen them before. This can mean that what sin is (and is not) is more clear to you. This will then lead you to personally agree with the idea that a certain action is a sin where you perhaps did not before, or at the very least did not even think of it as potentially sinful.

This also means that you recognize your own actions are possibly wrong. This in turn means you are taking responsibility for your actions and are admitting they are sin.

This does not mean that you will always be able to resist temptations and not sin in a particular way again. King David sinned in many horrible ways as did all sorts of people mentioned in the bible (e.g. Moses). David always admitted his mistakes, acknowledged/confessed them before God and asked for cleansing and help to not sin again. This is clear.

Read Psalm 51. In it, David is confessing his sins to God and is showing the reader that God is looking for purity of heart, genuine change in mind, and the taking of responsibility for sin. What God does next in response is up to Him, including forgiveness.

May He have mercy on us all.
 
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Phil W

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To me, repentance is a change of mind.

This means that its a change in how you see certain actions vs. how you may have seen them before. This can mean that what sin is (and is not) is more clear to you. This will then lead you to personally agree with the idea that a certain action is a sin where you perhaps did not before, or at the very least did not even think of it as potentially sinful.

This also means that you recognize your own actions are possibly wrong. This in turn means you are taking responsibility for your actions and are admitting they are sin.

This does not mean that you will always be able to resist temptations and not sin in a particular way again.
I've got good news for you!
It is written..."There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it." (1 Cor 10:13)
We are always able to resist temptation...if our repentance "from sin" was real.
Your definition is a "repentance of mind", not a "turn from" sin.

King David sinned in many horrible ways as did all sorts of people mentioned in the bible (e.g. Moses). David always admitted his mistakes, acknowledged/confessed them before God and asked for cleansing and help to not sin again. This is clear.
Read Psalm 51. In it, David is confessing his sins to God and is showing the reader that God is looking for purity of heart, genuine change in mind, and the taking of responsibility for sin. What God does next in response is up to Him, including forgiveness.
May He have mercy on us all.
Thank God we live in the NT instead of the powerless OT.
They couldn't crucify the old man, with his vile affections and lusts like we can now. (Gal 5:24)
They couldn't be reborn as a new creature that walks in the Spirit instead of in the "flesh".
 
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HardHead

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We are always able to resist temptation...if our repentance "from sin" was real.
Your definition is a "repentance of mind", not a "turn from" sin.

I will disagree on this. I think that the change in mind comes first. You need to know (i.e in your heart and not theoretically or in the abstract) that the sin is wrong long before you can turn from it in a complete and practical manner. Turning from sin is certainly needed, but to me its not the first thing that happens. Your mind has to change first and this includes a change of heart. This is though grace. This makes the turn happen.

Your point about temptation is good. I agree. I'm only saying that its not always a one-step process. Stumbling and getting up again, and not giving up is part of the process. Once your mind changes, the work is certainly not over. A real conscious consistent effort is needed to overcome temptation.

Thank God we live in the NT instead of the powerless OT.They couldn't crucify the old man, with his vile affections and lusts like we can now. (Gal 5:24) They couldn't be reborn as a new creature that walks in the Spirit instead of in the "flesh".

You may have missed the point here by focusing on one example. The NT also has examples of repentant sinners. Matthew was a tax collector, Paul was a murder, Peter denied Christ, etc. The main thing here is that they changed their ways. New Testament or Old, the examples are consistent and on point along what is in Psalm 51.

All the best to you.
 
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Phil W

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I will disagree on this. I think that the change in mind comes first. You need to know (i.e in your heart and not theoretically or in the abstract) that the sin is wrong long before you can turn from it in a complete and practical manner. Turning from sin is certainly needed, but to me its not the first thing that happens. Your mind has to change first and this includes a change of heart. This is though grace. This makes the turn happen.
God gave everyone a conscience. Men know something is wrong without being told.
Men don't need some revelation to know murder is wrong.

Your point about temptation is good. I agree. I'm only saying that its not always a one-step process. Stumbling and getting up again, and not giving up is part of the process. Once your mind changes, the work is certainly not over. A real conscious consistent effort is needed to overcome temptation.
Stumbling manifests a false repentance (from sin).
As God provides escapes from temptation, the "work" is to use the escapes. They aren't hidden.

You may have missed the point here by focusing on one example. The NT also has examples of repentant sinners. Matthew was a tax collector, Paul was a murder, Peter denied Christ, etc. The main thing here is that they changed their ways. New Testament or Old, the examples are consistent and on point along what is in Psalm 51.
They all turned from their sins.
 
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HardHead

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God gave everyone a conscience. Men know something is wrong without being told. Men don't need some revelation to know murder is wrong.

I do get your point, but as I said, I disagree with you on this. The reason is the needed change of heart and mind. The lack of this internal, heat-felt mentality regarding sin, is why murder still occurs. Murder occurs even if the knowledge of it is certainly generally present and people know about it being wrong. This kind of shallow knowledge is not really enough in my view. If it were, murder would be non-existent, yet its not. Our sinful nature is the source of this.

In how I understand this topic, having a theoretical knowledge of something does not mean that it is heart-felt. A change in heart and mind is needed for repentance to occur, not some abstract knowledge, nor a written law for that matter. A written law provides an abstract knowledge that murder is wrong, and some people still ignore this. Repentance requires an internal change in a person that makes the person turn away from sin.

In my view, this is always possible with the help of grace from God. Some people may be able to do this on their own, but others may not. Grace helps us in all cases, it seems.

God may make the path away from sin more or less difficult for each of us in order to teach us in some way and to let us grow spiritually. In my view this growth is not at all easy, and in my experience it is often difficult.

You may not agree, and I may be wrong. I'm only stating my current view on this.

Stumbling manifests a false repentance (from sin). As God provides escapes from temptation, the "work" is to use the escapes. They aren't hidden.

I'm not sure I understand the part about being hidden. What is hidden or not hidden? I also don't understand what you mean by escapes. That is a new terminology for me.

Regarding the work, I think that it is hard work and that it takes effort to avoid and to overcome temptation. We need God's help to overcome temptation, at least I do. I often pray for help to do this.

They all turned from their sins.

Exactly. We agree. They changed their ways though repentance, just like David and Moses in the Old Testament. I don't think which testament the account is in matters at all. What matters is the message that repentance by us (done actively throughout our lives), and God's forgiveness of sins results in good things.
 
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HardHead

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Regarding the term escapes, I found this.

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your strength, but with the temptation will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. (1Co 10:13 , RSV)

OR in this wording

No testing has overtaken you that is not common to everyone. God is faithful,
and he will not let you be tested beyond your strength, but with the testing he
will also provide the way out so that you may be able to endure it. (1Co 10:13 , NRSV)

I do know this passage but perhaps not as well as you do.

In my view we receive this gift through grace. To me this means recognizing that sin is near and that temptation is happening, and that God is the helping hand to the way out.

I say this because for most of my life I was an atheist. This means that I once thought that God did not exist so repentance and sin did not really exist for me either, etc.

This was completely and utterly wrong on my part but its a mindset I had for decades.

I see nothing but God's grace in revealing this error to me and letting me see the truth. To me this was indeed hidden for years. Thanks for reminding me of that. May God have mercy on us all.

Also, in this passage, to me, this does not mean that the way out is easy. In my experience it is often difficult and it is hard work even if it is possible.

Thanks for bring this up. That is a pretty cool topic to discuss.

All the best to you.
 
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Phil W

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I do get your point, but as I said, I disagree with you on this. The reason is the needed change of heart and mind.
Change to do what?
Quit sinning.
If one's conscience isn't bothering, them they will never seek to change.

The lack of this internal, heat-felt mentality regarding sin, is why murder still occurs. Murder occurs even if the knowledge of it is certainly generally present and people know about it being wrong. This kind of shallow knowledge is not really enough in my view. If it were, murder would be non-existent, yet its not. Our sinful nature is the source of this.
I feel you are fretting over the "Welcome" mat instead of opening the door.

In how I understand this topic, having a theoretical knowledge of something does not mean that it is heart-felt. A change in heart and mind is needed for repentance to occur, not some abstract knowledge, nor a written law for that matter. A written law provides an abstract knowledge that murder is wrong, and some people still ignore this. Repentance requires an internal change in a person that makes the person turn away from sin.
Even with all the knowledge in the world about what is right and wrong, men still need to turn from the evil.
That is a repentance from sin.

In my view, this is always possible with the help of grace from God. Some people may be able to do this on their own, but others may not. Grace helps us in all cases, it seems.
God won't leave a truly sorrowful man to his own devices.
If he wants to stop sinning he will find the "route".
Jesus said..."Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled." (Matt 5:6)

God may make the path away from sin more or less difficult for each of us in order to teach us in some way and to let us grow spiritually. In my view this growth is not at all easy, and in my experience it is often difficult.
He doesn't hide the way.

You may not agree, and I may be wrong. I'm only stating my current view on this.
I'm not sure I understand the part about being hidden. What is hidden or not hidden? I also don't understand what you mean by escapes. That is a new terminology for me.
You write English well, how come you can't understand English words?
Get a dictionary!
It is written..."There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it." (1 Cor 10:13)

Regarding the work, I think that it is hard work and that it takes effort to avoid and to overcome temptation. We need God's help to overcome temptation, at least I do. I often pray for help to do this.
God doesn't allow men to be tempted above their level of resistance. (1 Cor 10:13)

Exactly. We agree. They changed their ways though repentance, just like David and Moses in the Old Testament. I don't think which testament the account is in matters at all. What matters is the message that repentance by us (done actively throughout our lives), and God's forgiveness of sins results in good things.
One "turn from" sin should be the only turn, if it is genuine.
 
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Phil W

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Regarding the term escapes, I found this.
No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your strength, but with the temptation will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. (1Co 10:13 , RSV)
OR in this wording
No testing has overtaken you that is not common to everyone. God is faithful,
and he will not let you be tested beyond your strength, but with the testing he
will also provide the way out so that you may be able to endure it. (1Co 10:13 , NRSV)
I do know this passage but perhaps not as well as you do.
Ooops!
I should have read this post before recommending you get a dictionary! LOL

In my view we receive this gift through grace. To me this means recognizing that sin is near and that temptation is happening, and that God is the helping hand to the way out.
Amen to that.
Sometimes the "escape" is as easy as just saying NO.
Other times it is something like not going to the beach anymore to avoid getting tempted by the half dressed girls.
Or, for me, staying away from bars.

I say this because for most of my life I was an atheist. This means that I once thought that God did not exist so repentance and sin did not really exist for me either, etc.
This was completely and utterly wrong on my part but its a mindset I had for decades.
I see nothing but God's grace in revealing this error to me and letting me see the truth. To me this was indeed hidden for years. Thanks for reminding me of that. May God have mercy on us all.
Also, in this passage, to me, this does not mean that the way out is easy. In my experience it is often difficult and it is hard work even if it is possible.
Thanks for bring this up. That is a pretty cool topic to discuss.
All the best to you.
I pray you will continue walking in the light.
God has more answers than you have questions.
 
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HardHead

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Its funny that murder always seems to get used as an example in discussions like these but its not really a daily thing for most people, at least I hope its not.

On a daily basis, for me its coveting, and doing so in general. Overcoming this requires effort for me.

I learn something new almost daily on this path in particular what my trigger point is regarding this and where my limits seem to be. The part that changed things for me in a practical actually achieving a change kind of way was asking God for help. Doing this has been incredibly beneficial to me.

I know that does not sound like much due to weak generic wording, but its true. At each turn, I see the limits I have and I see new reasons for growth and room for change. Its very slow but asking God for help works.

I am not sure how to put it other than just as I think I have something figured out, I see something else to consider and to fix so to speak. This makes me see God in new ways. This then repeats. I read Psalm 51 often to remind myself of this. That Psalm has been important for me.

Anyway, this is my own personal path. Its likely different for someone else.

Regarding the rest, I agree with you about the just stop sinning comment. I'm only saying that to do so, a person needs a change of mind and heart first. Then things stop. This may be cheap semantics on my part but this is how I see it.

I think I focus on this because of my own experience over the years. I think back to some of the things I did in the past and where my mind was and I laugh. Its quite incredible where this new path led me to.

The pastor that baptized me recently used the words "there is no turning back". This is absolutely 100% correct. The world is a different place and I feel like I should tell people this whenever I can.

I wish you all the best. Thanks for being patient in the discussion.
 
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Sep 19, 2019
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Psalm 51
1 Have mercy upon me, O God,
According to Your lovingkindness;
According to the multitude of Your tender mercies,
Blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,
And cleanse me from my sin.

3 For I acknowledge my transgressions,
And my sin is always before me. 4 Against You, You only, have I sinned,
And done this evil in Your sight -
That You may be found just when You speak,
And blameless when You judge. 5 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity,
And in sin my mother conceived me. 6 Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts,
And in the hidden part You will make me to know wisdom.

7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;
Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. 8 Make me hear joy and gladness,
That the bones You have broken may rejoice. 9 Hide Your face from my sins,
And blot out all my iniquities. 10 Create in me a clean heart, O God,
And renew a steadfast spirit within me. 11 Do not cast me away from Your presence,
And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. 12 Restore to me the joy of Your salvation,
And uphold me by Your generous Spirit.

13 Then I will teach transgressors Your ways,
And sinners shall be converted to You. 14 Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God,
The God of my salvation,
And my tongue shall sing aloud of Your righteousness. 15 O Lord, open my lips,
And my mouth shall show forth Your praise. 16 For You do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give it;
You do not delight in burnt offering. 17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit,
A broken and a contrite heart -
These, O God, You will not despise.

18 Do good in Your good pleasure to Zion;
Build the walls of Jerusalem. 19 Then You shall be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness,
With burnt offering and whole burnt offering;
Then they shall offer bulls on Your altar.
 
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