When we accept the Christian message without repentance we simply join the larger Christian community. I'm sure we all take our time in repenting fully. Why? Because we can only proceed as the Holy Spirit directs and enables. In many cases we aren't ready to repent until we're fully convinced and convicted of our need to do so. Things happen on God's schedule, not ours. Sanctification in most of us is a gradual process. In some cases God will bring about an instant change of heart, usually because He has an urgent purpose for us, as in Paul's circumstances. For most of us, though, we come under conviction via hearing sermons, reading devotionals like this one, and by reading Christian books and such. Once we're convicted by the Holy Spirit in our hearts, repentance usually follows. Everything happens in its appointed time. You can SAY the words: I repent. But unless you mean them with all your heart you're just going through the motions. We should pray to God to ask Him to reveal areas in our lives where we're going the wrong way or have the wrong ideas and repent of those wrong directions as the Spirit gives us understanding. This is an ongoing thing. Every day we form thoughts and ideas contrary to God's will. We can rely to an extent on our conscience, since we have the Spirit dwelling in us, but we still need to periodically ask God to show us where we're going wrong.
Q1. Faith without Repentance
in 1. Preparing for the Kingdom (Matthew 3:1-17; 4:17)
Posted
When we accept the Christian message without repentance we simply join the larger Christian community. I'm sure we all take our time in repenting fully. Why? Because we can only proceed as the Holy Spirit directs and enables. In many cases we aren't ready to repent until we're fully convinced and convicted of our need to do so. Things happen on God's schedule, not ours. Sanctification in most of us is a gradual process. In some cases God will bring about an instant change of heart, usually because He has an urgent purpose for us, as in Paul's circumstances. For most of us, though, we come under conviction via hearing sermons, reading devotionals like this one, and by reading Christian books and such. Once we're convicted by the Holy Spirit in our hearts, repentance usually follows. Everything happens in its appointed time. You can SAY the words: I repent. But unless you mean them with all your heart you're just going through the motions. We should pray to God to ask Him to reveal areas in our lives where we're going the wrong way or have the wrong ideas and repent of those wrong directions as the Spirit gives us understanding. This is an ongoing thing. Every day we form thoughts and ideas contrary to God's will. We can rely to an extent on our conscience, since we have the Spirit dwelling in us, but we still need to periodically ask God to show us where we're going wrong.