One of the most challenging steps of salvation is repentance. What makes repentance so challenging is that the devil is always at work against us. While repentance is a step we take before salvation, it is equally a step that we must maintain throughout our Christian Walk.
Paul wrote to the Romans regarding repentance. He said, “Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:11)
Dead to Sin.
True repentance involves the death of the old man of sin. We put to death the members of unrighteousness as Paul describes in Colossians 3:5-11. When the old man of sin is put to death, there is a burial. Paul stated that we are buried with Christ in baptism. Just as Christ died upon the cross and was buried, we too have died to sin and are buried into the death of Christ (Romans 6:1-4).
After being buried with Christ in baptism, we arise to walk in newness of life. This newness of life means leaving the old manner of sin behind, never again to return. When we are dead to sin, we no longer give in to the pull that sin has against us. When we are faced with temptation, we have that inward, focused desire to please God above everything else.
Alive to God.
We are alive unto God when we are focused on His will and not the will of the flesh. Paul wrote, “Set your mind on things above, not on things of the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.” (Colossians 3:2-3)
When our minds are set on things above, we are focused on doing the will of God. Jesus Himself stated, “For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.” (John 6:38). We too are admonished by Christ to focus on the will of God. He said, “If you love Me, keep My commandments.” (John 14:15)
Being alive unto God focuses also on the promises of God. Jesus promised, “In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.” (John 14:3-4).
Repentance is a challenging step of salvation. It remains a challenge even during our lives as Christians. When we are dead to sin and alive unto God, we give ourselves a strong foothold on that straight and narrow path. The more we focus on God’s love for us, His will for us, and the promises He has in store for us, the more that sin will lose its luster. We can overcome the sins and temptations of this old world when we focus our minds on Christ.
God Bless each of you,
Eric Hicks