The 7 R's of Repentance

One of my passions is teaching that confession and repentance are different.  Below is a simple alliteration detailing the 7 R's of repentance:

1. Recognize how your life doesn’t line up with Christ.  Psalm 119:9-20

2. Request help and accountability from God and a loving and mature member (or members) of Christ’s body.  Accountability partner(s) help by praying for you, pushing you, and pointing out blind spots.  Galatians 6:1-2

3. Review your influences, such as friendships, the media you watch, the music you listen to, and the places you visit.  Ask yourself if this activity, media, conversation, or way of thinking is a part of Kingdom living.  Is it holy?  Deuteronomy 7:6 Is it going to drag you down?  John 8:34

4. Ruthlessly Reject all the ways you willingly feed the sinful nature. Matthew 5:29-30, Romans 13:14, 2 Corinthians 10:3-5, Ephesians 4:21-22. 

5. Run after Christ in prayer, in times of praise and worship, Bible study, sermons and instruction, and service to others.  Be renewed with truth and righteousness.  Ephesians 4:23-24

6. Remain humble, expectant, and steady. Steps 3, 4, and 5 may be quick or take some time. If every ounce of your being loves God and hates sinfulness, you are loose-necked and will turn quickly. You are stiff-necked if any part of you is not ready to give up the sin or the things that feed it. 1 Corinthians 15:58, 1 John 1:6.  Keep praying, confessing your sin, and asking for help. 

7. Rejoice in the miracle.   Freedom from sin is excellent, but repentance leads to becoming more Christ-like, which is far more extraordinary.  Never take a miracle for granted; always offer public praise. Luke 17:16-17

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