repentance

28
Apr
2024
Power of Godly Sorrow

Power of Godly Sorrow

2 Corinthians 7:10 – “Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.”

Here we encounter a profound truth: godly sorrow leads to repentance, which in turn brings salvation and leaves no room for regret. Conversely, worldly sorrow leads to spiritual death.

Importance of Repentance

  • Godly Sorrow: When we experience godly sorrow—deep remorse for our sins—we are prompted to turn to God. We acknowledge our mistakes, seek forgiveness, and embrace His mercy. Repentance becomes our pathway to salvation.
  • Fearless Confession: We need not fear asking for forgiveness. Instead, we should boldly admit our wrongs, knowing that God’s grace awaits us. Repentance is a powerful force that bridges the gap between our brokenness and God’s restoration.

Dangers of Worldly Sorrow

  • Spiritual Death: Worldly sorrow, however, takes a perilous turn. When we feel remorse but fail to turn to God, we risk spiritual death. Despair settles in, and our souls languish. It’s crucial to recognize this danger and seek divine intervention.
  • Embracing God’s Love: Rather than allowing sorrow to consume us, we must turn to God. His love is our lifeline. We ask for help, knowing that His grace can transform our sorrow into hope.

Call to Action

In summary, 2 Corinthians 7:10 compels us to:

  • Admit Your Mistakes: Acknowledge your need for forgiveness.
  • Seek God’s Mercy: Approach Him without hesitation.
  • Avoid Despair: Turn your sorrow into a catalyst for change.
  • Live Pleasing Lives: Embrace godly sorrow, repentance, and the transformative power of God’s love.

May your life reflect this truth, as you journey toward eternal salvation without regret.

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Posted by onthesolidrock in Daily Inspiration
22
Apr
2024
Blessed Are Those Who Wash Their Robes

Blessed Are Those Who Wash Their Robes

Revelation 22:14

“Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city.”

Promise of Eternal Life

The book of Revelation unveils vivid imagery and symbolism, revealing God’s ultimate plan for His people and the final judgment of the wicked.

Among these beautiful scenes is the vision of the new Jerusalem—a holy city descending from heaven to be the dwelling place of God and His people.

In this celestial city, sorrow and pain are no more. Death has been conquered, and the old order of things has passed away (Revelation 21:4). The city’s brilliance emanates from the glory of God and the Lamb, banishing darkness forever (Revelation 21:23).

At its heart stands the tree of life, bearing twelve abundant crops of fruit, yielding sustenance every month. Its leaves bring healing to the nations (Revelation 22:2).

Symbolism of the Tree of Life

The tree of life symbolizes God’s abundant provision and blessings for His people. It reminds of Eden, where God placed the first humans and granted them access to this life-giving tree.

Sadly, sin led to their banishment from God’s presence (Genesis 2:9; 3:22-24).

Yet, in the new creation, God restores humanity to its original state of innocence and joy. He extends an invitation: wash your robes, cleanse your hearts, and partake of the tree of life.

Eternal life awaits those who love Him and obey His commands.

Washing Our Robes: The Key to the City

  • How can we claim this promise?
  • How do we enter the celestial city?

The answer lies in washing our robes—symbolic of repentance, forgiveness, and purity.

As we turn from sin, our garments become white as snow (Isaiah 1:18).

“Come now, let us settle the matter,”
    says the Lord.
“Though your sins are like scarlet,
    they shall be as white as snow;
though they are red as crimson,
    they shall be like wool.

Through Christ’s sacrifice, we gain the right to partake of the tree of life and dwell eternally in God’s presence.

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Posted by onthesolidrock in Daily Inspiration
17
Apr
2024
Beyond Rules: Jesus’ Call to True Righteousness

Beyond Rules: Jesus’ Call to True Righteousness

Matthew 5:20 – “For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.”

Many grapple with achieving God’s standards and pleasing Him. Traditionally, righteousness is seen as following rules and rituals.

The Problem: External Righteousness

Jesus challenges this view in Matthew 5:20.

He says our righteousness must surpass that of the Pharisees, known for meticulous rule-following. Their focus was external actions, neglecting the heart of the Law: love for God and neighbor.

This kind of righteousness is superficial and self-serving.

The Solution: Grace and True Righteousness

True righteousness isn’t achieved by our efforts. The answer lies in:

  • Grace: God’s grace forgives, cleanses, and empowers us. It transforms our hearts and enables us to live for Him. Righteousness comes from His work in us, not our own.
  • Jesus: He saves, teaches, and leads us. His sacrifice and intercession make us righteous, not by imitation, but by His presence within us.

Following Jesus’ Way

To live out this higher righteousness, we need to:

  • Examine Our Motives: Focus on our inner thoughts and attitudes, not just outward actions. We must avoid both outward sins and inward sins like anger, pride, or envy.
  • Love, Not Just Law: Seek the spirit of the Law, which is love. We practice the positive aspects of “doing good” and “showing mercy” alongside avoiding negativity like “lying” or “stealing.”
  • Internal and External: We demonstrate both internal signs of faith like humility and sincerity, and external acts like fasting, praying, and giving generously. Our goal is to please God, who sees our hearts, not impress others.

The Invitation: A Higher Calling

Jesus calls us to a deeper righteousness, one leading to the Kingdom of Heaven.

This call is not a burden but a blessing, a gift of true connection with God.

Prayer for True Righteousness

“Lord Jesus, I confess my sin and need Your grace. I believe You died for my sins and rose again for my righteousness. I accept Your call to a higher righteousness, surpassing that of the Pharisees, leading to Your kingdom. I surrender my life and follow Your way. Forgive, cleanse, and empower me. Be my Lord, Savior, and Example. Be my Righteousness, not by my imitation, but by Your indwelling. Amen.”

If you prayed this prayer, congratulations! You’ve embarked on a life-changing journey.

Next Steps: Growing in Faith

  • Find a Bible-believing church for fellowship and growth.
  • Read the Bible and pray daily to deepen your relationship with God.
  • Share your testimony to inspire others to seek Jesus and His righteousness.

May God bless you on your path with Him.

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Posted by onthesolidrock in Daily Inspiration
03
Mar
2024
Putting Away All Malice

Putting Away All Malice

“But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.” (Colossians 3:8)

Examining Our Hearts

In his letter to the Colossians, Paul instructs believers to meticulously examine their hearts and cast off any sins that have taken root. Although we have been made new in Christ, vestiges of our old nature still rear their ugly heads.

As redeemed saints, we must be brutal in ripping out these sins from our lives. Paul lists several specific ones – unchecked anger, raging fury, spiteful malice, abusive speech.

Like persistent weeds, they can quickly overrun our souls if not eliminated.

Malice in Our Midst

Malice is an especially dangerous weed – its roots dig down deep into the soil of our inner being. It springs up slowly, often unnoticed, but silently chokes out the fruit God desires.

This bitter root produces resentment, jealousy, distrust, and hatred towards others.

Even fellow believers can become targets of our malice. We begin viewing them through suspicious eyes, questioning their motives.

We withdraw, murmur, divide. Unchecked, malice metastasizes, poisoning our fellowship. As God’s chosen ones, we must purge this evil from our midst.

Cultivating Clean Hearts

Eradicating malice requires brutal honesty and courage. We must allow the light of Christ to shine into the hidden crevices of our hearts, exposing malicious motives.

Repentance and forgiveness will wash away past offenses.

Moving forward, we must nurture hearts soft to the leading of the Spirit, quick to extend grace. As malice withers in fertile soil of love, joy and peace will blossom, enriching all our relationships.

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Posted by onthesolidrock in Daily Inspiration
29
Feb
2024
Power in the Name

Power in the Name

“Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” (Acts 3:6)

When Peter and John encounter a lame beggar outside the temple, they demonstrate the authority and power available to all believers through the name of Jesus.

Though they possessed no money to assist him, they offered far greater riches through Christ – miraculous healing in an instant!

Expect the Impossible

Jesus assured His followers, “If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move” (Matthew 17:20-21).

As we call upon Christ’s name in faith according to His will, we open the door for the supernatural, limitless resources of heaven to meet earthly impossibilities.

This exciting spiritual truth applies to our physical bodies, relationships, jobs, ministry efforts, cities and nations. Through invoking Jesus’ authority in the unseen realms, we gain access to His resurrection miracle-working power.

“God’s power is always available where the name of Jesus is proclaimed.” Derek Prince

Let us call upon His name with bold expectancy today!

An Open Invitation

In Acts 3, Peter extends an invitation to the gathered crowd who are astonished at the healing they’ve witnessed.

He urges them to repent, turn to God and times of refreshing will come (v.19). The healing of the lame man was intended to point to spiritual restoration.

Similarly, God wants miracles to draw people to Himself – the ultimate source of life and power.

As conduits of His grace, we are privileged to bring the refreshment, renewal and salvation found solely in Jesus. May the power unleashed through Christ’s name open many eyes to His worth.

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“One Minute with God”

Posted by onthesolidrock in Daily Inspiration, Faith, Prayer