THE PATH TO REPENTANCE

The steps in the path to repentance might take place over many years or a very short time depending on the knowledge and understanding of the individual.  Here is an outline:

1. Drawn by the Father:

Joh 6:44  No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him:

2. Given the gift of Faith:

Eph 2:8  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

3. Faith in the word of God.

Rom 10:17  So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

4.  Receiving (accepting) Jesus as Saviour.

Joh 1:12  But as many as received him, to them gave he power **to become** the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

5.  Understanding the way to life:

Mat 7:14  Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

Mat 19:17   but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.

6.  Understanding the consequence of future sin:

Mat 18:8  And if your hand or your foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away.  It is better for you to enter life crippled or lame than with two hands or two feet to be thrown into the eternal fire.

7.  Fear of God:

Luk 12:5  But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.

8.  Recognition of our helplessness against sin:

Rom 7:12  Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.

Rom 7:14  For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.

Rom 7:15  For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.

9.  Calling on Jesus to be saved: (Delivered from the control of sin.)

Rom 7:24  O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from
the body of this death?

10. True Repentance and receiving the Holy Spirit:  (The New Birth)

Act 2:38  Then Peter said unto them, ** Repent,** and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins,  **and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. **

True repentance must have 4 elements to be complete:

1.  Contrition:

 "For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be  repented of..." (2Co 7:10)

2.  Covenant:

  We must make a Covenant with God to cease from all known sin depending upon God to make it possible.

3.  Commitment:

We must commit to the degree that one is willing to die rather than sin wilfully.

4.  Consequence:

 We must understand and accept that if one turns back to willful sin the only hope is eternal death.

Harold  Kupp