This is the last of this series of studies about living a trouble free life.  We turn our attention from forgiveness to repentance.  We learned in the previous article that our forgiving others is essential for receiving forgiveness from God.  Now we must learn the problem of repenting and why it is so important for having a trouble free life.  What does repentance mean?  Why is it expected and how does it remove trouble from our lives?  When and how should we repent?  These are some of the questions we want to address as we study.

The Problem

Repenting is something that causes people to struggle.  On the one hand, we feel guilt for wrongs in our life but we may be afraid of changing our habits or too proud to admit that we are wrong.  The end result is one of constant internal turmoil and struggle.  At times like this, the spiritual man wrestles with the physical man and there is a constant tension in our lives.  We may wind up distancing ourselves from those that care for us and would be happy to help us.  We may feel a deep hole or void in our lives because we are essentially shutting God out of our lives.  The same problems that are caused by not forgiving are caused by not repenting.  And just as with forgiveness, the real tragedy of not repenting of wrong is a lost and broken soul.  Our life is a battle against sin as we see written in Ephesians

Ephesians 6:12 KJVR For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

We are fighting and struggling with our physical desires.  It is a hard battle that we must continually wage against.  Sometimes they get the best of us and we fall short as noted in Romans

Romans 3:23 KJVR For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

Why is this?  Even when we want and desire to do well, we fall short.  The Bible has told us this will happen and that we all sin (1 John 1:8-10).  And so God has given us the avenue of repentance to help us to get back up when we fall down.  Repentance is part of God's plan of salvation and is also part of being a Christian.

Why do people fail to repent?

• Pride and Arrogance - "In my opinion I don't need to repent.  After all, I'm better than most people."
• Stubbornness - "I don't care what you or the Bible says, I'm not going to repent"
• Lack of Understanding - "It's such a small thing...  I don't really need to repent of that do I?"

The Remedy

To rid ourselves of inner turmoil and pain that is caused from past wrongs in our lives, we must repent.  In order for repentance to happen, a person need to be humbled.  Humility always helps us see things in a different light and it will fight against the proud and arrogant tendencies that we often have.  The Bible teaches us that humility is essential quality that the Lord wants us to have in our lives.

• James 4:10 KJV Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.
• Luke 14:11 KJV For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

Humility helps us with many aspects of our lives, however, it will especially help us when it comes to having the willingness to repent.

Another remedy to the problem is to have a better understanding of what repentance is about.  Many times people associate repentance (especially public repentance) a form of punishment.  In fact, repentance is not a punishment but a blessing.

• Regains God's favor - Revelation 2:5 KJV Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.
• Bettering your life - 2 Corinthians 7:9-11 KJV Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing. (10) For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death. (11) For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter.
• Help from others - James 5:16 KJV Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

We must put aside the misconceptions that we have about repentance and understand that it is for our benefit.  Here are some common misconceptions about repentance.

1. Public repentance is an embarrassment. - No, the sin may be embarrassing but the act of repentance is an act of strength, faith and the will to change.
2. I won’t be looked to as a good example. - No, you will be looked toward as a good example. Humility, faith, submission, sincerity, dedication, love for the truth are all good things. Repentance shows many good examples for to those of all ages.
3. People will think I am a failure. - No, people will think you are human. A failure is one who gives up. Repenting shows you are no longer failing. You are not going to continue to cave in to sin.
4. I will lose the respect of the congregation. - No, Anyone who repents should be respected and supported. Not because of the sin, but because of the wiliness and sincere desire to turn away from it.
5. It won’t help overcome. - No, It will help you overcome but you must realize the help. Realize you cannot solve all your problems on your own. (Eph 5:14 KJV) Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.

It makes it much easier to repent if we can humble ourselves, realize the benefit of repenting and rule out the misconceptions we often have.  Here are some other passages regarding repentance.  I encourage you to study these as time presents itself.

• Submitting to God and cleansing yourself - James 4:7-8
• God commands everyone to repent - Acts 17:29-30
• Simon the sorcerer (a Christian) told to repent - Acts 8:9-25
• Churches told to repent - Ephesus Rev 2:4-5, Pergamos Rev 2:14-16, Thyatira Rev 2:20-22, Sardis Rev 3:1-3, Laodicea Rev 3:14-19

Conclusion

As we conclude this series of articles about a trouble free life we conclude with one of the most important steps that you can take to rid trouble from your life.  Repentance allows you to walk with a clear conscience knowing that God has forgiven you of your past wrongs.  It enables you to replace the bad things in your life with good things that will only further help you along the way.  I encourage you to think about your life and things that may have gone undone.  There is nothing more important to your peace of mind than setting things right with God.  I hope this series of articles has been beneficial to you and encourage you to keep visiting our site to read and study with us.