What is repentance: ? It is a total change of heart and mind resulting in a
change of direction and action. True repentance always results in a radically changed relationship with God! When we truly repent, (i.e. leave the sin behind and walk away), our sin is forever removed from us and the guilt is replaced with peace and joy.
iii) Reveal our sins to God:(1:10)
The difference between relationship and fellowship. Sin cannot undo a believer’s relationship with God, but it can destroy his fellowship with God.
Ex: Adam in the Garden of Eden (Gen. 3)
Many believers are attempting to hide sin in their lives. They have sin in their lives and still they act as if everything is all right. They are lying! They lie to
themselves, they lie to others and they lie to God! Eventually, they begin to
believe the lie themselves. At that point, they deny their sin and by doing
so, call God a liar
This is extremely dangerous! We will never prosper with hidden sin in our
Life. “Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy” (Pro. 28:13). Sin must be brought out into the open, when it is, we can have pure, honest fellowship with others, ourselves and most importantly with God.
Light reveals our sins! This is why many people do not attend church or youth or Gospel meetings regularly. Because their sin is exposed to the light of the Word of God, the Holy Ghost brings conviction upon our heart and we are forced to see our sins for what they are, because they are an abomination to God. People fear exposure, so they stay away from the light.
We can make 2-types of conviction:
- General conviction is for our sins, disobedience, daily sins knowingly or
- Specific conviction is for our sins specifically we do with others.
God desires to have fellowship with us as. Therefore, He calls to us in a direct fashion revealing specific sin. Before sin can be dealt with, it must be exposed to the light. Whatever sins we are hiding should be notified, He will certainly cleanse us and wash us.
We must confess our sins:
This can be done by simply naming our sin before God, and asking for forgiveness and declaring that not to repeat such sins.
A true Spirit filled life is not one that is sinless. It is a life lived in close fellowship with God. If we learn the principle of instant confession, we would live more consistent lives. There are many people with mountains of un-confessed sin, lying like heaps of dirty laundry in the corners of our hearts have tendency to depart away from the Lord.
- Rest in the Lord:
The best news in the world, for the Christian, is that there is a place where we can deal with our sins. A place where our guilt can be exchanged for peace. All men are looking for such a place. Jesus Christ is offering it freely. “Come unto me all those who are heavy laden…” (Matt.11:28). It is in His Blood. Jesus is the answer.
He always forgives and cleanses. No matter how often we come, He will receive us and cleanse us. He blots out our sin and declares us “Not guilty!” He will never hold it over us again!
Conclusion:
The first and primary step toward fellowship with God is the admission of sin. Because we cannot save, nor cleanse our selves. Jesus has already done the work, He simply asks us to respond to Him by faith. When we do, we will be received, forgiven, cleansed and in fellowship with him. Some of God’s children need to come home because they have wandered faraway and are carrying a load of guilt. Some have never trusted Jesus for salvation. Please don’t go to Hell when God has made a way that you can be freely and eternally be saved from our sins. This is walking in fellowship with the Lord? Yes we can do. Don’t blame Jesus if you go to Hell.