Christians must recover the concept of repentance and realize
the root problem of their lives and world lies within, Kerry Skinner warned
Louisiana Baptist Evangelism Conference participants last week.
“Our problem today is not out there somewhere,
…” said Skinner, an associate with Henry Blackaby Ministries.
Christians must recover the concept of repentance and realize
the root problem of their lives and world lies within, Kerry Skinner warned
Louisiana Baptist Evangelism Conference participants last week.
“Our problem today is not out there somewhere,
…” said Skinner, an associate with Henry Blackaby Ministries.
“Its your own heart.”
Jesus made that point clear in Mark 7, Skinner noted. However,
a modern world does not like to label sin as “sin” or talk about the
need for repentance, he said.
Thus, too many people struggling with a sin problem do not
recognize it as such, seeking instead to rename it or medicate it or find a
human remedy, Skinner continued.
“We have churches full of sin that everybody thinks they
can handle,” he warned conference participants.
Even though Jesus made it clear the heart is the source of
the problem, people do not like to admit they are wrong and sinful, Skinner
acknowledged. Instead, they seek to manage their sin, justify it, learn how
to live with it, he said.
The problem with those approaches is ones heart is not
changed, he warned. “And I dont think Jesus came to teach us how
to live with our sin, how to manage it,” Skinner asserted. “He came
to tell us how to get rid of it.”
Unfortunately, too many people seek mere relief from sin, thinking
that is enough, Skinner said. It is much like a doctor giving patients painkillers
to make them feel better instead of treating the source and cause of their illness,
he explained.
“If youre not careful as a believer, youll
deal with your sin in such a way as to get some relief, but youll still
be sick. You dont have to call your sin sin, but it still
is.”
The key is to quit blaming the world for ones sin and
repent, Skinner said, reminding persons that repentance involves more than mere
confession of sin.
“Repentance is rare, and repentance is a word we must
get back in our vocabulary and in our preaching and in our teaching,” the
conference speaker insisted.
Skinner reminded persons that repentance is a positive concept,
showing that one can move from a heart full of sin to a heart full of God. “Repentance
is the most refreshing thing that can happen in the life of a believer,”
he said.
In a second address, Skinner continued his theme and outlined
five steps in the process of repentance. He warned that performing just one
or two of the steps is not enough – one has to work the way to true change.
That way involves:
Saying to God – “Im wrong.”
“We try to keep from admitting wrongness,” Skinner
acknowledged. “Thats the nature of human nature.”
Saying to God – “Im sorry.”
“But being sorry is not enough,” Skinner warned.
“If youre not careful, youll keep telling God youre sorry
and never change. And youll become satisfied (with that).”
Saying to God – “Forgive me.”
Many Christians get hung up at this point and stop the process,
Skinner acknowledged. “(They) feel guilty about their sin. They just dont
want to change.”
Instead, they try to live the Christian life in human flesh,
Skinner explained. “(And) If youre not careful, you will act like
a Christian, rather than be a Christian.”
Saying to God – “Cleanse me of my sin.”
“You will never truly repent of your sin until you see
it from Gods perspective, …” Skinner reminded persons. “Youll
live with it. Youll try to manage it.”
Saying to God – “Empower me.”
Forgiveness and cleansing (wiping the slate clean) can occur
immediately, Skinner noted. However, persons still must deal with the damage
their past characters have left behind – and that is a task impossible
on ones own, he noted.
However, when one truly repents, God empowers that person to
do what needs to be done and to clean up the past damage, Skinner said. “When
you truly repent, your heart will be set in motion to do whatever God requires
of you.”
Skinner challenged persons in a time of closing prayer to allow God to deal
with their hearts. “Youre just a repentant prayer away from being
right back into fellowship with God,” he reminded them. “It doesnt
take long if youre serious.”