The blessings of genuine repentance

Introduction
A few weeks back, the Lord spoke to us all on the need to repent. The topic was “ALL MEN EVERYWHERE” making it clear that all of us are called to repentance. To the Christian, repentance just like faith is not a one off experience, it is a continuous thing. We concluded on the Lord’s promise of times of refreshing after repentance has taken place. Today’s message can therefore be considered the 2nd part of the message on repentance because there are blessings in repentance. Whenever there is a genuine repentance, you can expect refreshing and many more blessings.
May you experience times/seasons of refreshing from now henceforth, Amen.

Genuine Repentance? What Is It?
There are various kinds of repentance. They include:
• Natural repentance (the effect of natural conscience)
• National repentance (Eze 18:30)
• External repentance (an outward humiliation)
• Hypocritical repentance (Hos 7:16)
• Legal repentance (a mere work of the law) or
• Evangelical repentance-consists in conviction of sin, accompanied by sorrow for it, confession of it, hatred to it, and renunciation of it. Unfortunately, there are many things that people call repentance today that are not repentance.
• Confession is not repentance.
• Weeping is not repentance.
• Fasting is not repentance.
• Praying on the mountain is not repentance.
• Showing emorse/a sad look is not repentance.

But Evangelical repentance consists of (1) a true sense of one’s own guilt and sinfulness; (2) an apprehension of God’s mercy in Christ; (3) an actual hatred of sin (Psa 119:128; 2Co 7:10), and turning from it to God, (4) a persistent endeavour after a holy life, walking with God and following his commandments.

The Greek word “metanoia” speaks of true repentance, a change of mind and purpose and life and this is accompanied with a promise. It is genuine repentance that attracts blessings, not fake repentance.

The Blessings -(Acts 3:19)
According to our text, attached to genuine repentance is the promise of times of refreshing. Let me state here that repentance might not be a condition for forgiveness, (1 John 1:9), but a condition for restoration/refreshing. Therefore, with refreshing comes:
• Rest/Inner Peace. Isa. 55:7.
• Reinstatement/Reunion
• Restoration
• Renewal/Revival – (Acts 2:38)
• Resources (2 Chro. 7:14)
When there is genuine repentance, you can expect forgiveness, comfortable life and blessings.

Conclusion
Repentance is knowing your sins and desisting from them. It is a complete turn from your old ways of life. Wabush, a town in a remote portion of Labrador, Canada, was completely isolated for sometime until a road was cut through the wilderness to reach it. Therefore, Wabush has one road leading into it and thus, only one road leading out. If anyone would travel the unpaved road for six to eight hours to get into Wabush, the only way to leave is by turning around. As in Wabush, there is only one way to genuine repentance, a complete U-turn.

According to Isaac, the Syrian, “the man who knows his sins is greater than one who raises a dead man by his prayer.” A delayed repentance is a delayed blessing. Let me close this message with the way the Amplified Bible Classic renders Acts 3:19.

“So repent (change your mind and purpose); turn around and return (to God), that your sins may be erased (blotted out, wiped clean), that times of refreshing (of recovering from the effects of heat, of reviving with fresh air) may come from the presence of the Lord.”
Shepherdhill Baptist Church, (Sanctuary of Grace & Glory), Baptist Academy Compound, Obanikoro, Lagos.
Whatsapp:2348033052590.
Email:revkristilere@yahoo.com