We are told in 1 John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us or sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” This is more than just simply saying what are sin was it involves our entire person. Let me explain:1. It involves a person’s intellect – a person must think differently about sin, self, others, God, etc; It must involve a recognition of sin and who God is. It is an understanding of what I did and my desire to overcome those choices.2. It involves a person’s emotions – Repentance will involve some measure of sorrow or regret for our sinful choice. This does not mean that I am overwhelmed by guilt, but a real sense of what I did as being wrong.3. It involves a person’s will – We are active in turning to God and away from making choices on the basis of what brings us instant gratification, and to choices that are made based on the Word of God.4. It involves a persons’ desires – We will have a desire to please God and obey the Word of God over the desires of our flesh5. It involves a person’s … READ MORE

Hosea 14:1-3 gives at least 8 elements of a repentant heart, take a moment to look at them:

1. “return to the LORD your God” – Repentance includes turning to the Lord from your sinful choice(s)

2. “You have stumbled because of your iniquity” – Repentance includes an understanding of the seriousness and awfulness of sin – an awareness that your sin has caused you to fall – not just stager, and has broken your relationship with God.

3. “Take words with you, and return to the LORD” – Repentances includes a concern about heart sins as well as behavioral sins.

4. “Take away all iniquity” – Repentance includes an acknowledgment that we have sinned, and that our sin is serious. It brings a willingness to call all that is behavior that is against God’s Word, sinful.

5. “Receive us graciously” – Repentance includes a desire and request for forgiveness – not bargaining, not talking about good works, not asking for justice, asking to be received graciously (Ephesians 1:7).

6. “For we will offer the sacrifices of our lips.” – Repentance includes an intention to live a God centered life; a desire and commitment to glorify God with lips and … READ MORE

Man’s repentance, as it is presented in the Bible, always speaks of a change of purpose, a turning from sit to God. God is never far away from us, all we need to do is turn ourselves around and there He is!. 1 Thessalonians 1:9 says, “For they themselves declare concerning us that manner of entry we had to you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and rue God.” Here we see 4 elements of repentance:

1. They turned to God – If we feel that God has moved out of our life, it is not because He has moved, it is always because we have move, turn back to Him and He is there for us (Revelation 3:20)

2. We turn from idols – These do not have to be wooden or stone images, but rather they can be idols of the heart and mind. The reality is that an idol is anything that we put before God in our lives.

3. We turned to God with the intention of serving God – It is not enough to turn toward God, Jesus said that if we wanted to be His disciple we must … READ MORE