5
Theme: REPENTANCE
Introduction:
While sin is the breaking of the law of God (1John 3:4), repentance is the forswearing of one’s action which one sees as bad or sinful. It is regret or sorrow for one’s sin which is shown in change of behavior. (Psalm 38:18). Despite man’s sins, God has graciously given man the grand opportunity to repent of his sinful ways before He will mete out His vengeance of the day of reckoning. (Acts 17:30-31) There is need for constant self-examination so that we may “search and try our ways, and turn again to the LORD”. – Lamentations 3:40, 41.
Text: “For our transgressions are multiplied before thee, and our sins testify against us: for our transgressions are with us; and as for our iniquities, we know them”. Isaiah 59:12.
Comment: As individuals, we know the sin we commit either secretly or in the open. We also know the “Sin that doth so easily beset us” that is, the sin that we easily fall prey to whenever the urge for it comes. Hebrews 12:2. King David stated: “For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me”. Psalm 51:3.
Our conscience (or heart) plays a major role in the acknowledgement of our sins. St John stated: “For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things. Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God”. 1John 3:20-21. Therefore, refusal to acknowledge one’s sins amounts to self-deceit and will not bring one forgiveness from God.
St John said “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us”. (1John 1:8-10) Moreover, Solomon the prophet says: “He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy. Happy is the man that feareth alway: but he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief.” – Proverbs 28:13, 14; Proverbs 28:13.