Further Study: Confession and Repentance: The Conditions of Revival
“Confession will not be acceptable to God without sincere repentance and 
reformation. There must be decided changes in the life; everything offensive to God must be put away. This will be the result of genuine sorrow for sin. The work that we have to do on our part is plainly set before us: ‘Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before Mine eyes; cease to do evil; learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.’ Isaiah 1:16-17. ‘If the wicked restore the pledge, give again that he had robbed, walk in the statutes of life, without committing iniquity; he shall surely live, he shall not die.’ Ezekiel 33:15.”-Ellen G. White, Steps to Christ, p. 39.
Discussion Questions:
- What crucial lesson about forgiveness can we learn from Jesus’ willingness to forgive those who nailed Him to the cross? If He was willing to do that, how much more so should we be willing to forgive those who have hurt us?
- In your own experience, how has confession of sin been a blessing to you? In what ways has it helped you in your relationship, not only with the Lord but with others?
- Though we read this week about the need, at times, to confess to other people whom we have wronged, why must we always be very careful in what we say to others?
- True repentance, we have read, includes a putting away of sin. What happens, however, if we-struggling with that sin-fall into it again? Does that mean our repentance wasn’t sincere? Does it mean we cannot be forgiven for it again? If this were true, what hope would any of us have? How are we to understand the nature of biblical repentance while always keeping in mind the reality of our sinful natures?
- From what we have seen this week, why is repentance a vital component in the whole issue of revival and reformation? How do the terms revival and reformation contain within themselves the idea that we do need to repent?
(12)
I broke my neck, in 1972, at 14 yrs. old, on a full sized trampoline,in our backyard. Currently I live in nursing home.
A long while back I confessed, to the upper staff, at a Care Plan meeting that I was taking narcotics, from my Drs. prescription, after lieing to him that my legs were in a lot of pain. L story S, they call only 1 hospital for drug rehab. The hospital said they couldn't help me because they don't have the staff to wash and dress and put me in m wheelchair to go to group meetings every day.
So that's my problem with repentance. I'm a little afraid to try cold turkey. And weaning myself off this Clinapin, and Dalawdid might be a little tricky if not scary without something for the withdraws and moodswings.
Warren, telling a lie was wrong. Repentance means being so sorry for what you have done that you would not do the same thing again if you were in the same circumstance. Does that apply to you? If so, you have repented of telling a lie.
Your addiction to prescription drugs is a separate issue. It would be good to get off those drugs so you can have a clearer mind. But you probably don't have to go to meetings to do so, although I'm sure it would be a good social exercise. 😉
I suggest you talk with your doctor about weaning you off those drugs. He can change your prescription to 10% less narcotics than you are now taking. When your body is used to that, he can lower the prescription by 10% again. If you can handle it, he can lower it every month, and by the end of the year, you'll no longer be needing those drugs. (In order to make this work, you'll have to have access to a "compounding pharmacy" where a pharmacist can mix the drug to the specified potency. Your average drugstore pharmacist doesn't do this.)
Pray about it, and the Lord can open the way for you.
I understand your need for narcotics. You suffer long and hard. Often I read from peoples in similar or in heavy sickness situation, how they see God in that evil. Even one said, she was born handicapped because God knew that it would otherwise be for her irresistible to become a stripper. I am always in shock when hear similar stories because of great pain and hard life of some peoples.
I think God comes to you as Soter-Savior from misfortune. I think God was not preventing that lady to become stripper. She tried to reason in pain. It is above our understanding. God come like savior from that state in which we was cast.
Hello, Warren! I prayed for you this morning. God really can make a way where there is no way. I am glad you have a connection to the internet and can be a part of studying the lesson with the rest of us here on SSNET!
I do not think we can ever think too much about what Jesus did for us when He was on this earth. One of the greatest times when we can really see his love was when He went to the cross and submitted to all the abuse on that Friday afternoon. When we see His example of forgiving those who were hurting Him and praying for them, we can be changed. We can open our hearts and let the miracle of God's Love melt our hearts. When we fill our minds with this Love, we can reach out to others with that forgiveness and Love that only comes from God.
Additionally, that Love can help us to want to confess and get rid of anything in our lives that would hurt God and Jesus. We can turn to Him, ask His forgivenesss and ask for His help to make things right and get sin out of our lives. He always listens to those prayers and wants so much to help us. He is always there ready to listen and give us what we need to have a real relationship with Him and reach out in love to others. I am so thankful to Him for all He does for me!!
[Thank you for your comment. However, please be sure to include your full name with your comments as requested in the SSNET Comment Guidelines. Thank you!]
Great response, Finnel.
However the day of pentecost was in spring of AD 31.
And also, besides what you have written, they need to keep the commandments!
I am a bit confused by the EGW statement in Wed lesson. "Confession is not acceptable without sincere repentance...." 1John 1:9 seems to have left out that qualifier. Mon. lesson says that, repentance is God initiated. I agree, and have trouble with the idea that God would begin something in our lives that was not complete. We have the power of choice, but being sinful in nature, we are not inclined to lead sinless lives. Jesus died for sinners because that is where the need is. I am not saying that change is not needed. What I am saying is that, what ever change is made, is a gift of the Holy Spirit.
To Warren, you have made a step in the right direction, and that's admitting there's a problem. We must all make that step in our Christian lives as well. I want you to know that God is more than able to help you to overcome the addiction. You will be in my thoughts and prayers. Keep praying and believing God. He won't let you down. Victory belongs to you.
This has been an awesome lesson! God used the authors in such a powerful way to speak to my heart. Thank you Jesus for giving me exactly what I needed to open my eyes and see myself as I really am, a person in need of repenting and confessing my sins one by one.
i think confession and repentance can be summarize into a PRAYER. Of course when you pray you have to confess of your sins and then repent in order to be revive from your sins. GOD then will send his holly spirit and will lead us into the righteousness in Jesus.
In terms of Salvation. Jesus said for God all things are possible for those that believe. To believe like children with simple faith. Salvation is as John 3:16 in 1 minute. Now once you are safe the journey begins and the Holy Spirit will guide you and lead you every day to santification process including Baptism and all the other truths. Thousands have met Jesus through 1 divine appointment. It is the Holy Spirit that agrees with our spirit that we are a child of God. Now once you meet Jesus it is recommended ready your Bible daily and find a bible base church. Jesus loves us and has given us all an opportunity to be safe. Just come to Jesus just the way you are in what ever condition He will do the rest
Hi Warren thank you for sharing mate!! There is Hope for all of us Warren be assured that Jesus can and will work marvelous miracles in us. I am evidence of that. I am an alcoholic and been sober now for 22 yrs "praise The Lord !!" I was a hopeless drunk and an atheist for 25 yrs and tried to stop drinking many times. I have a loving wife and children but the alcohol was more important to me than them and I am ashamed to admit it. I read a book about one world order a Christian book which encouraged me to recite the sinners prayer. I knelt down a placed my hands over my heart in the shape of a funnel and asked Jesus to forgive me my sins and to enter my heart. Within 2 days I had lost all interest in alcohol I felt incredible all I wanted to do was know more about Jesus. He took my burden and I didn't experience any pain only pleasure. What an incredible miracle He had performed it me, I am so great full. Yet I am still a sinner and and continually fall from grace however he accepts me back and continues working miracles in me Warren and I am convinced He will do the same for you. All you have todo is ask and when the time is right you will be healed. God bless you Darren, continue to pray and talk with Jesus and be sure that I am praying for you daily.
Blessings
Your brother in Jesus
Steve Potts