For the past three weeks (prior to last night) we have not met for our weekly Sonship course because of evening commitments and travel plans. We met last night to review the lesson on repentance (of which I have noted some of my thoughts in other blog entries).
One of the questions that we were asked to consider is "How are faith and repentance connected?" A verse that came to my mind is Hebrews 11:6
"And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him."
When I am convicted of sin my first few thoughts/feelings have to do with dread, fear, embarrassment, shame and guilt; since my sin is displeasing to God I can easily believe that I am displeasing to God. "Faith" is the predecessor of repentance and the rails upon which repentance rolls.
I repent TO God, which means I believe (have faith) in Him.
I repent BECAUSE I believe (have faith that) He will forgive me.
In repentance I am forgiven because God's Son has already experienced the dread, fear, embarrassment, shame and guilt...and received the judgment I deserve. Repentance is predicated on Faith in a loving, forgiving, relational God.
This weeks lesson has to do with the Holy Spirit's roll in walking with God. I'll keep you posted!
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