True Repentance-A Must!

It is really something to me that some people say they don't have to repent from their sins and that it an optional thing in salvation. This is simply not true! Sin must be dealt with and one cannot be saved and not repent from their sins. May we be found as individuals that always repent of the filth of sin daily and see it for what it is. We need to understand that when we sin as believers, we are grieving the Holy Spirit of God. Just read this great, challenging article from Thomas Brooks. Brothers and Sisters, when was the last time you wept over your sins before a Holy God?

(Thomas Brooks, "Heaven on Earth" 1667)

Sin is a turning the back upon God--and the facetowards hell. Repentance is a turning the back upon sin--and a setting the face towards God!True repentance is a sorrowing for sin because it is offensive to God. Peter was sorry for his sin; Judas was sorry his for punishment. Peter grieves because Christ was grieved; Judas grieved because he would be damned.As Noah's flood drowned his nearest and his dearestfriends, so the flood of penitent tears drowns men's nearest and their dearest lusts! Be they Isaacs or Benjamins, be they right eyes or right hands, true repentance puts all to the sword; it spares neither father nor mother, neither Agag nor Achan.Repentance is a turning from all sin, without any reservation or exception. One stab at the heart kills, one hole in the ship sinks her, one act of treason makes a traitor. Just so, one sin not forsaken, not turned from, will undo a soul forever.A true penitent looks upon every sin as poison, as the vomit of a dog, as the mire of the street, as the menstruous cloth, which of all things in the law was most unclean, defiling, and polluting. He looks thus upon every sin, turns his heart against every sin, and makes him not only to refrain from sin--but to forsake it, and to loathe it more than hell. True repentance breaks the heart with sighs, sobs, and groans--that . . . a loving Father is offended, a blessed Savior crucified, and the sweet Comforter grieved. Penitent Mary Magdalene weeps much, as well as lovesmuch. Tears, instead of jewels, were the ornaments of penitent David's bed. Surely that sweet singer never sang more melodiously, than when his heart was broken most penitentially.The sweetest joys are from the sourest tears; penitent tears are the breeders of spiritual joy. The bee gathers the best honey off the bitterest herbs. Christ made the best wine of water; the strongest, the purest, the truest, the most permanent, and the most excellent joy is made of the waters of repentance.

"Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy."
Psalm 126:5

Article on Lordship salvation-A must read!