|
Experiencing
the Glory of God 8
The Importance
of Repentance
by
Pastor John Hamel
The
following is an excerpt from Chapter 1 of the JHM article "Repentance
from Dead Works."
Repentance
First & Foremost
I
kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and
have taught you publicly, and from house to house, Testifying both to the
Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our
Lord Jesus Christ. (Acts
20:20-21)
Notice
Paul made reference to the fact that he preached repentance first and faith
second.
It
is just not possible to experience the supernatural glory of God when you
refuse to repent if you have been living with sin in your life.
The Apostle Paul knew this, which is why he always encouraged people
to repent before God for their sin before attempting to release faith for
salvation or to have their needs met.
Repentance
is a subject frequently and deliberately overlooked by Christianity today.
Actually,
it has become quite popular in this day to preach that it is not necessary
for believers in Jesus Christ to ever repent of their sins because sin is
automatically forgiven. I
call this doctrine of demons Hyper-Grace.
You can read more about this deadly doctrine in our JHM online book
The
Dangerous Error of Hyper-Grace.
Some
preachers, such as the backslidden Pastor I mentioned earlier, are actually
more afraid to offend their hearers by talking about repentance than they
are of offending God by refusing to talk about it.
Dr.
Billy Graham said, "In this society we are concerned about not
offending anyone but God."
Dr.
Graham also said, "My
heart aches for America and its deceived people. But the wonderful news is
that our Lord is a God of mercy, and He responds to repentance."
America,
in her wealth, has become unconcerned about sin and has become self-centered
and self-indulgent.
America
needs to hear the message of repentance now more than any other time in her
great history. However, it is going to take those who understand the
Foundational Doctrine of Repentance to pray that Ministers would see the
need to repent first themselves and then to start forcefully preaching that
others repent, as well.
Dr.
Kenneth E. Hagin said, "The only thing that can save America from the
judgment of God is genuine repentance." He also said, "There
is nothing more lacking in the Charismatic movement today than commitment,
consecration and respect for the things of God."
Recently
I had an urgency to pray in the Holy Spirit. It seemed as if God was trying
to get something across to me. I no sooner began to pray in the Holy
Spirit than the interpretation
came as follows.
"Given
the present condition of your country and the world, it is selfish to not
make the subject of repentance the focal point of all your preaching and
teaching. Many will answer to Me for this."
If
the Body of Christ in America, corporately and individually, desires to see
the Glory of God in manifestation, it is first going to take repentance
towards God for our national and personal sins followed by faith in Jesus
Christ second.
This
article is an excerpt from the series "Foundational Doctrines of
Christ" located at the John Hamel Ministries Online Bible
Training Centre.
Be Blessed
John and
Barbara Hamel
How
to Be Born Again (Receive Christ as Your Savior)
How
to Receive The Holy Spirit & Power
|
