The first message that Jesus preached began with the word
R - E - P - E - N - T!
Matthew 4:17
17From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand
Please note that the first work of the Holy Spirit is to convict one of sin (after God draws one) because sin even if you are a believer separates one from God
Did you also see that Jesus did not begin his work until he had first been prepared for as much as 30 years and then he was first tempted by the Devil, but he overcame in that wilderness - the World the flesh and the Devil.
He overcome in these 3 tests:
The lust of the flesh
The lust of the eyes
And
The Pride of Life
It is a principle of the Kingdom - before one can be effective in the Kingdom or have any empowerment (the infilling of the Holy Spirit or the anointing) from God one must overcome the dictates of the flesh.
He sacrificed so that we would no longer need to walk under the bondage of sin,
We have the power to overcome sin of any kind. Ask God for help, he will help you.
Sin may feel good and though we may think we are playing a good game and fooling others, it is our standing before God that matters and we will find in the long run, when God brings the darkness into light we were only fooling ourselves. Sin always has a consequence.
I listened to a speaker recently Apostle Tim and he termed sin as being Sweet Poison - that really is the truth.
The sad thing is though some of us may not even see sin as sin and we do not see the consequences right away...so one may continue in sin until they have come into the place of reprobate mind (Romans 1)
Sin is considered to be the hardening of one's heart and this is how it works.
Example used here is of murder: if one commits murder, for the first time they will feel so destitute, troubled and bothered. Maybe the next time too, but after they keep commiting this heinous act that so violates God's standards, one will not hear the still small voice convicting them anymore. The demon of murder will now have entered too and will compel you to commit more and more murder.
It is the same principle that applies with all sin - lying, stealing, sexual sin, fornication, adultery, slander, gossip, back biting and so much more.
I have counselled many individuals and I am not concerned about those individuals at all who are convicted of sin and feel the need to confess openly and repent. It is a good thing when God convicts one of sin, it means he has not turned away from you for he certainly is a merciful God.
I am concerned about those who have strong holds and fortresses for the enemy, who have scales on their eyes and cannot see their sin.
It's not too late to repent my friends, you must consider carefully you will only hurt your own self with lying, deception and any sinful choice you make. It is a seed sown into your future and you will bear the fruit
Repent today. Not just say sorry: R - E - P - E - N - T. Turn away from the sinful ways and turn to God.
Ask God to show you truth, you may be so blinded by the enemy because you have so hardened you heart all these years
May this prayer be your prayer today
Psalm 139:23/24
23Search me, O God, and know my heart!
Try me and know my thoughts!
24And see if there be any grievous way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting
How many of us have turned away from the straight and narrow pathway leading to God's best and the life more abundantly because we think all we have to do is say sorry and continue in the sin
God requires us to REPENT
Turn away from sin and turn wholeheartedly turn to him.
Do all God asks you to today. It is the only wise and pertinent choice.
Amen
Walk good in Christ
Till we meet again
Pastor J
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