TRUE REPENTANCE

Text: Luke 22:54-71

Scripture:

And the Lord turned and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And Peter went out and wept bitterly. (Vs 61-62)

True repentance is owning up to our shortcomings instead of trying to justify them. In proverbs 28:13 we see that whosoever covers his sin shall not prosper but whoever confesses and forsakes his sin obtains mercy. Failure can only be fatal when we refuse to confess it. Confronting our unworthiness with truth instead of  lying is the number one in the list of our God given armour (Ephesians 6:14). When we confess our sins, we are saying the truth, Satan's cover is blown. We are no longer hiding. The next step is we receive mercy and we are cleansed and washed by Jesus (1 John 1:9). Then we are restored to the fold.

One thing that gives Satan foothold in our lives is FEAR - False Evidence Appearing Real. We are afraid of what people we say when our sin is exposed,so, we keep lying and lying. Sometimes in the bid to cover one sin we commit many others. But he who says the truth at all times shall prosper. It is better to plead guilty to a crime you committed and receive a lesser sentence than to allow the court to prove you guilty. 

Unlike, Peter, Jesus shows us the way to go. The only accusation against him is that he said he is the son of God. Yet see his conversation in verse 67-71. He cannot deny himself. Let God be true and every man a liar. No matter the circumstances, may we never consider jettisoning our faith. It is not an option for us. 

Father, thank you for your love which makes you to forgive us again and again and for the blood of Jesus that cleanses us from all unrighteousness. Grant that we do repent of any sin we commit and come clean before you in true repentance instead of giving Satan the chance to destroy is completely. Amen!