Isaiah 30:15 #2 Repentance

Isaiah 30:15
“For thus the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, has said,
'In repentance and rest you will be saved,
In quietness and trust is your strength.'
But you were not willing.”

Repentance

Come now, and let us reason together says the Lord.
Though your sins are as scarlet, they will be as white as snow;
Though they are red like crimson,They will be like wool.”
Isaiah 1:18

This reasoning will show people the importance of repentance. We don't stand a chance with God and don't have a clue what life should be about worth His leading and guidance.

There is no value in sin for the long run. Sin brings pleasure for a season. But in the end it is bitter. Why sow the seeds of bitterness and not look to God for the way of life. God has made us a certain way and has given us guidelines on how to live. If we live according to the ways of the world we are living in direct opposition to how God want us to live.

The product of living like this is sin. It will not benefit you, your family or those you know. God made us to live according to His ways. Repentance is a refreshing way to change for the better.

And repentance is not just a one time thing at salvation. It should be a daily thing. A cleansing for the past day and receiving instructions for the coming day. Jesus will forgive when we come to Him confessing our wrongs.

Reasoning with God about our wayward lifestyle, is an interesting concept. This is what God is offering. Express to God why you are living the way you are. What does God offer in return for our repentance? He offers peace. He offers contentment. He offers a purpose that lasts. Why continue in a life that brings death when we can have true life. A life of faith which brings joy.

Jesus mentioned it in the Lord's prayer.
“Forgive us our debts as we forgive those who have trespassed against us.”

Sin separates us from God and quenches the Holy Spirit. Repentance brings us back into unity with the Father. But with repentance comes the refreshing of the Spirit. Acts 3:19 “Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord;”

A humble heart is willing to admit wrong. A proud heart doesn't admit error. To say you are without sin is to lie. 1 John 1:10 “If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us.”

One of the best verses on repentance is Psalm 51:10-13

Some say they have done so much bad that God would not be willing to forgive them. God will forgive any sin. He forgave Manasseh the most evil king of Judah. Manasseh was the reason Judah went into captivity. Manasseh repented of his sin of worshiping other gods, along with a list of many other sins.

Others can't forgive themselves not believing God would love them. This is just plain ignorant. Jesus is a friend of sinners. He did not come to bring the righteous but sinners to repentance.

We do not repent only from what we should not be doing, but also from not doing what we should be doing.

To not repent is to not be alive in the Spirit. For if we don't repent we have quenched the spirit.