Dear Christian brothers and sisters,
Sin is one of those things that seems to happen as soon as we open our eyes and get up from bed. Why do I say that? Because God is holy and there is no darkness in Him at all. So the potential to sin in thought, word, or deed is always present with us. We have no clue what the holy really looks like except the accounts of the Jews when God came and caused the mountain to quake with thunder and lighting, while Moses recieved the ten commandments. The account written by John in Revelation 4, with more lightening and thundering and the Elders falling down crying holy, holy is another indicator.
If we will respect and honor our heavenly father, being thankful and love Him with the whole heart, He will draw near to us and blessing will come. Why because He loves us. So we repent to keep the relationship open with our holy God and allow His Spirit to work in our hearts. It is that simple, Jesus showing us the way, when He said My house will be a house of prayer for all nations". I repent of my sin often, not because I am afraid God will abandon me or not help me. Also He is not just waiting for me to mess up, so He can judge me and make me pay for it.
Why do I repent then because God is holy and I love Him so much and do not want anything to separate me from the living relationship I enjoy with Him. Guilt and condemnation follow after I have sinned as well so, I just find it easier to agree with God about my sin, repent, and clear the air. Do not allow condenation to settle in, repent and get it over with thats my practice.
I think the hardest thing though is to stay walking in love with others when they often do things to hurt us, with out regard for our feelings. I believe it is our relationships wih others around us, that are the greatest test of our christianity. It seems to be easier for us to hurt others than to love them, and forgive them. Blessings from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ Debra Athanas
The gift of Repentance
