13 WE know we have rebelled and have denied the Lord. We have turned our backs on our God. We know how unfair and oppressive we have been, carefully planning our deceitful lies."
14 Our courts oppose the righteous, and justice is nowhere to be found. Truth stumbles in the streets, and honesty has been outlawed."
Isaiah 59:13,14 (NLT)
9 NOW I AM GLAD I SENT IT, NOT BECAUSE IT HURT YOU, BUT BECAUSE THE PAIN CAUSED YOU TO REPENT AND CHANGE YOUR WAYS. IT WAS THE KIND OF SORROW GOD WANTS HIS PEOPLE TO HAVE, so you were not harmed by us in any way.
10 FOR THE KIND OF SORROW GOD WANTS US TO EXPERIENCE LEADS US AWAY FROM SIN AND RESULTS IN SALVATION. There’s no regret for that kind of sorrow. BUT WORLDLY SORROW, WHICH LACKS REPENTANCE, RESULTS IN SPIRITUAL DEATH."
2 Corinthians 7:9,10 (NLT)
• God usually would consider any repentant heart, who comes to Him, for mercy (Psalm 34:18; 51:17; Isaiah 66:2).
- You may miss it and go astray, but when you realized that you are wrong, you had to repent and change and find your way back to God (Luke 15:17-21; 1 John 1:9).
- God is the Father to those who confess Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour (John 1:11,12). He is loving and caring. Whoever misses it and comes back to Him, such would be received back (Luke 15:18-24).
- God is not delighted in the destruction of anyone:
23 “DO YOU THINK THAT I LIKE TO SEE WICKED PEOPLE DIE? SAYS THE SOVEREIGN LORD. OF COURSE NOT! I WANT THEM TO TURN FROM THEIR WICKED WAYS AND LIVE. 32 I DON'T WANT YOU TO DIE, SAYS THE SOVEREIGN LORD. TURN BACK AND LIVE" (Ezekiel 18:23,32 NLT). - He would not destroy you, but requires a change of heart (1 Timothy 2:4; 2 Peter 3:9).
• The disobedient who repented not would be disciplined:
3 WHEN I REFUSED TO CONFESS MY SIN, MY BODY WASTED AWAY, AND I GROANED ALL DAY LONG. 4 DAY AND NIGHT YOUR HAND OF DISCIPLINE WAS HEAVY ON ME. MY STRENGTH EVAPORATED LIKE WATER IN THE SUMMER HEAT. Interlude 5 FINALLY, I CONFESSED ALL MY SINS TO YOU AND STOPPED TRYING TO HIDE MY GUILT. I SAID TO MYSELF, “I WILL CONFESS MY REBELLION TO THE LORD.” AND YOU FORGAVE ME! ALL MY GUILT IS GONE. Interlude" (Psalm 32:3-5 NLT).
- The purpose of discipline or chastisement or correction is the change for good on the part of the person who is being chastised or disciplined (Hebrews 12:9,10).
- God's chastisement is not an act of wickedness, but love with the intention to correct and bring back to the right track (Hebrews 12:6,11). Thus, do not hide your shortcomings, the things you had done wrong (Proverbs 28:13).
- A believer should learn how to accept a responsibility without passing the buck—shifting the blame or responsibility onto another. In other words, If you missed it, do not try to look for someone to blame for the mistakes you had made.
- If you had to be reprimanded for your mistakes, accept it, with gratefulness. Your attitude to corrections matters to God.
- If you were the type, when corrected, who would like to fight and do all manner of things to defend yourself and would not want to receive any blame, It means you are still far from spiritual maturity.
- You are lacking in the understanding of the ways of God. It means you are shallow and still far in your relationship with God.
- Whoever is corrected and wanted to quarrel because of it, is still a baby Christian, such is a carnal believer—being ruled or controlled by the Flesh (1 Corinthians 3:1,2).
• Whatever Sin you committed, or thing you did wrong, the healing of your soul started with a genuine repentance: "HE WHO COVERS HIS SINS WILL NOT PROSPER, BUT WHOEVER CONFESSES AND FORSAKES THEM WILL HAVE MERCY" (Proverbs 28:13 NKJV).
- It is when you acknowledged your sins, then you can receive mercy from God. Acknowledging your shortcomings, genuine repentance, and the willingness to receive discipline or chastisement without being grumpy, means humbleness in the sight of God (2 Samuel 12:13).
- However, whoever is arguing or trying to defend himself or herself, proving to be right, such a person is still having a truck load of pride in his or her life.
- Someone who is still arguing, or angry for being confronted and corrected for what he or she did wrong, is not qualified for mercy before God (1 Samuel 15:18-23).
- Note: when you Acknowledged your Sin and Confessed it:
a. You would have freedom or liberty in your heart to come and receive help at the throne of Grace (Hebrews 4:16).
b. Your heaven would be open. Having an open heaven means receiving favour from God. You are being backed up, or supported by God.
c. Such a person would be remembered for God's blessings again.
• You will not perish in Jesus' name.
- Whatever is contrary to your health that was not planted by God is rebuked and rooted out completely in the mighty name of Jesus Christ.
- The hold is broken totally and never to rise again in the mighty name of Jesus Christ.
Peace!
TO BE CONTINUED
STEPS TO SALVATION
• Take notice of this:
IF you are yet to take the step of salvation, that is, yet to be born-again, do it now, tomorrow might be too late (2 Corinthians 6:1,2; Hebrews 3:7,8,15).
a. Acknowledge that you are a sinner and confess your Sins (1 John 1:9); And ask Jesus Christ to come into your life (Revelation 3:20).
b. Confess that you believe in your heart that Jesus Christ is Lord, and that you confess it with your mouth, Thus, you accept Him As your Lord and Saviour (Romans 10:9,10).
c. Ask that He will write your name in the Book of Life (Philippians 4:3; Revelation 3:8).
- If you took the steps As highlighted above, It means you are saved—born-again. Join a Word based church in your area and Town or city, and be part of whatever they are doing there. Peace!