The Power of Repentance
Posted on December 18th, 2010.1 John 1:9
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
James 5:16
“Confess your sins to one another and pray for one another that you may be healed.”
We all know the story of David and Bathsheba in 2 Samuel 11. In this story, David commits adultery with Uriah’s wife Bathsheba (its very likely that he raped her), then tries to trick Uriah that he was the one who got her pregnant. Then when that didn’t work, he plans Uriah’s death, and then dishonors him even more by placing him in the heat of the battle. Uriah, one of David’s mighty men, died a dishonored man that day on the battlefield, all for the sake of David trying to cover his sins. This story was not just a “rough day” that David had. This was a process of unrighteousness that continued for months.
Why then, as a man under the old covenant, was the kingdom and favor of God not taken from him like it was from Saul? Because, when confronted by the prophet, David took full responsibility for his sins. He spent seven days on the floor weeping in deep repentance before the Lord.
How do we know that his repentance was true? Because when he got up from that floor, he was a different man, and there is no record of him ever committing that type of sin again. There was no other Bathsheba.
What about Peter? He denied Jesus three different times. That’s more than Judas’ one time betrayal. So why were these people treated different than others who made the same or even less serious mistakes? The true difference was not in their sin but in what happened after the sin.
The true heart of repentance was the difference.
Psalm 51:7
“A broken heart and repentant spirit You will not deny O God.”
There is one thing that I have learned over the years of repenting and confessing my sins to God, my wife and my trusted brothers. The deeper your confession, the deeper your freedom. How is it easier to confess sins to a Holy perfect God, and not to our fallen, just like us, trusted sphere of accountability? Repentance will instantly break off shame from you because the enemy can no longer blackmail you with the things that were once hidden in the dark.
The blood of Jesus is waiting on the mercy seat to speak a better word over your issues today. Its time to walk as free men before a Holy God. He is not angry, He is just waiting for you to come out from behind the fig leaf of shame so that you can get back to what you were created for, walking with the Lord in the cool of the day.
It is time to return to innocence and freedom. It is time to walk in the light.
1 John 1:7
“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.”
Rick Pino
Fire Rain Ministries
WOW Rick this message rang home to me. Straight to my spirit. In fact this very thing is what brought me back to Christ. When i realized I was jacked up but so were the men of honor in the word. WOW if they can make if so can I !! PTL for men of the word to actually speak the word given them to all creatures. You blessed me so much Rick. BTW your music has ministered to me so deeply I cannot put into words.
posted on January 3rd, 2011 at 10:56 pm by George BlackOne of the hardest things for me to do as a true believer in Jesus Christ, is confess my faults and sins to my wife, the one thing i do realize is how our relationship deepens in trust and love. The Word is so stupid simple that sometimes i beat myself up over all the trouble i could have saved if i would’ve applied his Word. Gods word has always reminded me that the blood that he shed covered so much more than our sin but our guilt, shame, bondage, lack of vision and many more. We experience his glory through levels expressed through demensions, this is also true for freedom, thank you for sharing your walk, you are a true vessel of Gods glory
posted on February 10th, 2011 at 7:26 pm by Miguel VieraThat’s brilliant. Thank you for your honesty and transparency. I needed that today. I hope to see more of your writings…..I
posted on March 10th, 2011 at 8:44 am by JaneeWow! This was an awesome teaching!!
posted on March 31st, 2011 at 10:28 am by Prinion Diane FergusonGod is so faithful!! Our lives are a plkace where when lived pure, the annoings of our Lord can pour over us smoothly. I myself have been in situations where half repenting actually only made things worse. Kept shame and condemnation knoccking at the door of my mind and spirit. It’s such a blessing to know that there is no reason to hid from him. I’d rather only hide in Him, for he knows what to do with me and how to peice me back together. putting the ear in it’s proper place and the eyes where they should be. In place whole fresh, clean and finely repaired to last in this walk through Him alone! Hallelujah!!
Amen! God Bless your Rick, I love your music.
posted on April 9th, 2011 at 12:48 pm by Justin Hollandhi – too true what a mighty God we serve. our great freedom is to be free from the stain of sin & our joy is to have unbroken fellowship with our Lord Jesus if we will walk in his ways
posted on May 15th, 2011 at 11:04 pm by danHey Rick, I’m from Brazil and I’ve been soooo blessed by your posts. Could you blog more, please?? Thanks a lot! God bless ya
posted on May 24th, 2011 at 9:47 am by AmauriRick I see with my life that I look at Repenting like a pill. What a lie… Yes some we can move easy… But serious sins… What! Its true we need to allow God to be God…
posted on July 17th, 2011 at 8:42 am by JoseThis is a powerful word that should encourage us to keep ourselves humble and open with both God and our accountability. I specifically like the reference to “Pharisaical games” at the end. Matthew 3:7-8 catches John the Baptist speaking to the Pharisees, telling them to “Produce fruit in keeping with repentance.” If we are going to see (good) fruit produced in our lives, we will have to grasp the value and necessity of repentance. Repentance brings forth the evidence of Christ’s presence in our lives.
posted on July 27th, 2011 at 5:41 pm by Jonathan McNabbRick – Jesus’ love speaks a better word. I know I know this. I want the better word!! I don’t know why it is so easy to forget. Why it is so easy to keep hurt and unforgiveness hidden in that deep unseen compartment in our lives. Jesus open my eyes to the traps of the enemy. Jesus is just waiting for us to love him back. The kind of love that produces sacrfice. This blog was sent for me. Jesus loves me this much to show me that He wont let me go on any longer without repentance. Today has to be different. I have to get up off that floor drenched with puddles of repentance and change.I have to choose to love. I cannot afford any longer to live with offense. Jesus loves me this much to forgive me and heal me. I just wait for God to scream that He loves me. Its like I turn the volume down and I don’t realize it until my land is sick and needs healing. Why do we create the distance that pushes him away? For the past couple of days, weeks, months, maybe even years I have longed to love like Jesus. I want to change this world with the love of Jesus. Be part of the miracles. Be part of the change. Be baptized in the LOVE of Jesus. But I put this space that hinders Him from coming in too close. All around me I see despair and the focus of the people, my people, has been on the goals and dreams but have struggled to keep focus on Jesus. His love. I am repenting for my sins, my people. I surrender. If we repent, we can be healed, we can be changed. I can be changed. God led me to this post. Thank you! I need the man on the mercy seat. I need some more Jesus! I forget about repentance too often.
posted on February 3rd, 2012 at 8:24 am by Sarah McCoyYes! Awesome word! Thanks for posting
posted on February 28th, 2012 at 7:19 pm by Jane MathewsRecently attended “Fire On the Altar” 50 hour praise and worship. It was so powerful. I am more like David during the time between the sin and the accountability. Thanks to everyone for all your contribution.
posted on March 6th, 2012 at 11:32 am by N.O.