The Cycle of Faith

In a recent Bible study, the author described the life of a Christian as a cycle of faith, confession and repentance.  I've asked several people recently to share their understanding of repentance.  The predominant response has been "to say you're sorry for something you've done wrong."

Then it hit me!  

Repentance has been reduced to Confession

If I take the author's premise of this Cycle of Faith...

• Faith = believing God
• Confession & Forgiveness = recognizing where our lives don't measure up (our sin) to God's holiness, and acknowledging that to the Lord.  As His Word promises (which we believe in faith), the Lord forgives our sin.  
• Repentance = changing one's mind by allowing the Lord to provide new and right thinking about that sinful state to one that better reflects His holiness.  

When we only receive God's forgiveness and don't allow Him to change our mind, we have short-changed the process.  I have the words of Peter in my mind:

But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written:
"Be holy, for I am holy."  1 PETER 1:15-16 

The Lord beckons us to walk in His ways - - not to gain His favor - - but to reflect him to others SO THAT they would also trust in Him. One of the joys of forgiveness is then walking in the ways of the Lord.  Hear these words from David recorded in Psalm 32:

Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven,
Whose sin is covered.
Blessed is the man to whom the Lord does not impute iniquity,
And in whose spirit there is no deceit.

When I kept silent, my bones grew old
Through my groaning all the day long.
For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me;
My vitality was turned into the drought of summer. Selah

I acknowledged my sin to You,
And my iniquity I have not hidden.
I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,”
And You forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah

For this cause everyone who is godly shall pray to You
In a time when You may be found;
Surely in a flood of great waters
They shall not come near him.
You are my hiding place;
You shall preserve me from trouble;
You shall surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
I will guide you with My eye.
Do not be like the horse or like the mule,
Which have no understanding,
Which must be harnessed with bit and bridle,
Else they will not come near you.

Many sorrows shall be to the wicked;
But he who trusts in the Lord, mercy shall surround him.
Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, you righteous;
And shout for joy, all you upright in heart!
                                                                                                        PSALM 32

And shout for joy, all you upright in heart!