THE PATH OF TRUE REPENTANCE

By

Evangelist Steve Pegram

Psalm 51:1-17

There is a problem in the church today. People are not repenting for their sins, they are only apologizing for them. They are telling God they are sorry but are not turning from their wicked ways.

The Psalmist shows us however the path to true repentance. Let’s

look at his repentance and find out what we must do also.

1. We must fully accept our guilt. (v.3)

2. We must acknowledge that we have offended God. (v.4a)

3. We must declare that God is blameless. (v. 4b)

4. We must renounce all claims to righteousness on our own. (v.5)

5. We must commit ourselves to abandon sin and pursue God. (v.13)

6. We must humble ourselves before our maker. (v.17)

7. We must ask for and expect mercy. (This is the theme of the entire Psalm)

Many of God’s people have failed to distinguish between repentance, which is a gift from God that produces lasting change, and remorse, which is a human feeling that never moves beyond the guilt and regret.

What then, are the characteristics of true repentance? There are several.

1. True repentance is not stopped by sympathy pains.

2. True repentance goes down deep.

3. True repentance is a supernatural enabling.

4. True repentance has a wonderful cleansing effect.

The question now arises to us. Are we ready, truly ready, to do away with sin? It is not so much the words that you speak as much as it is the attitude of your heart.

Cleanse us O Lord and we shall be clean. Purify us Lord and we shall be holy!

Steve Pegram

Steve Pegram Ministries