Stuck at Repentance

Acts 20:21b ...repentance toward God, and faith toward our LORD Jesus Christ.

I have known people who hear the gospel message, get saved, and have no doubt whatsoever that they have been born again.

I have known people who hear the gospel message, get saved, and yet they continue to doubt that they have been born again.

And I have known people who hear the gospel message week after week, and yet never make the decision to be saved and they leave church defeated and confused.

Why?

Because they are stuck at repentance.

How do I know that?

Because I was there.

I made many professions of faith before realizing that salvation is not MY work.   My Salvation did not depend on the 'words' I spoke when I prayed.  My Salvation did not depend on how many tears I cried, or didn't cry.   Jesus did all the work for me.  Jesus paid my sin debt on the cross.  He suffered and bled and died.  He was buried and He rose again and ascended up to heaven and placed His own blood on the mercy seat to atone for my sin.

And for yours.

Jesus Himself said, "It is finished."

Repentance means 'to feel remorse' and 'to turn from.'  Don't change that into a definition you cannot understand.

Repentance is NOT: a measured emotion-

                                  it's not how many tears you have cried-

                                  it's not in the words you quote from a prayer-

Repentance IS: a conscience decision based on the condition of your heart.  You turn from your way to God's way.

Joshua made it quite simple.  Joshua 24:14-15 simply says, 'Choose you this day.'

It's time to choose, so make the decision.

Are you doubting your salvation because you are asking yourself:

    "I wasn't sorry enough."

    "I didn't say the 'sinners prayer'"

Then it's time to remove "I" from your thoughts and trust what Jesus did for you.

Don't be so focused on the 'repenting' that you remain stuck there.

It's time to turn towards Jesus Christ and rest in HIS work alone.

Salvation is not about me.

    It's about Christ.

It's not about emotions, tears, or words.

    It's about Christ's saving grace.

I was stuck at repentance until I realized I was not supposed to remain there.

I turned to Christ-

Now there are no more doubts....

    But that's just me!