HOW TO PREPARE FOR THE RAPTURE - PART 1

REPENTANCE

If repentance is only merely a change of mind, then we have not been told the full truth...for of necessity repentance involves the whole heart, which is the seat of Man's desires, feelings and affections.

All these must change as a result of the conviction of the Holy Spirit which produces godly sorrow...

ACTS 2:37  Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?

Repentance pricks the heart...not the mind...it compels one to look for a lasting solution, so that one NEVER returns back to the 'Old Way'...it will ask "What shall I do?"

But if you prefer the way of definitions...

In the Hebrew of the Old Covenant two words are used in the concept of repentance, they are -

1. NAHUM - to lament, to grieve. This word is describing the emotions that are aroused when motivated to take a different course of action.

2. SHUB - This word expresses a radical change of mind toward sin and implies a conscious moral separation from sin and a decision to forsake it and agree with God.

In the Greek of the New Covenant, there are also two words used which parallel the Hebrew usage.

1. METAMELOMAI - to have feeling or care, concern or regret which is akin to remorse.

2. METANOEO - to have another mind, which describes that radical change whereby a sinner turns from the idols of sin and of self to God.

Repentance then is the informing and changing of the MIND, stirring and directing the EMOTIONS to urge the required change, and the action of the yielded WILL in turning away from sin and to God.

YOU CANNOT REPENT WITHOUT GENUINE FEELINGS OF REMORSE AND REGRET FOR SIN…OR FOR THE WRONG LIFE STYLE YOU’VE BEEN LIVING!

YOU CANNOT REPENT WITHOUT AN ACCOMPANYING HATRED THAT COMES FOR THE SIN YOU FEEL SO MUCH REMORSE AND REGRET FOR!

REGRET AND REMORSE WILL ALWAYS BE FOLLOWED BY LOATHING AND HATRED OF THE SIN THAT PRODUCES THE REGRET...THIS IS REPENTANCE!

So if you think you can just come by way of the precious blood of Jesus merely because you have had 'a change of mind'...you better think again...a change of mind is merely a change of thoughts and we change our thoughts all the time...