The Path of Repentance - by John Loftness

It is funny how our Father works in our lives . . . I am currently reading a couple of books that, to say the least, are very convicting and humbling. One of the books is entitled "Respectable Sins" authored by Jerry Brideges. In a recent chapter (Chapter 7 / "Ungodliness"), Bridges does a great job in explaining and detailing the concepts of ungodliness and unrighteousness. Something that really stuck out to me was the differentiation between ungodliness and unrighteousness. Ungodliness describes an attitude toward God, while unrighteousness refers to sinful actions in thought, word, or deed. (page 53; "Respectable Sins") Bottomline - we are all Ungodly - ouch!

To that end, the second book that the Father is using to refine me and many other brothers, is authored by Joshua Harris entitled "Sex is not the problem, lust is". In chapter 4, A Custom-Tailored Plan: Where Am I Weakest and What Can I Do? Harris presents a plan/list of seven steps formulated by John Loftness for repentance. The steps are radical, but like Harris and Bridges both underline in their respective books, we must be willing to be radical for the sake of holiness . . . which is the opposite of ungodliness! Below is the list that John Loftness has created. It is my hope and prayer that this plan/list will be a blessing to you as we all strive to throw off ungodliness and by God's grace become more holy.

Blessings -

GutCheck Ministries

The Path of Repentance

by John Loftness

1 - Pray: establish your dependence on God by praying for the Holy Spirit's help in this process.

2 - Identify the Sin: define its practice in biblical terms, define your heart's motive for sin in biblical terms, and define the lie - the false belief - that created this motive and its acts.

3 - Embrace the Gospel: meditate on how your sin offends God; cultivate sorrow, meditate on the fact that God sent Jesus to die in your place to overcome the offense this sin created, pray and admit your sin to God and ask Him to forgive you and to account this sin to Jesus' death on your behalf.

4 - Take Steps to Stop: Collect on paper what the Bible says about your sin, its consequences, your forgiveness in Christ, and the Spirit's power at work in you to change; Purpose to change your thinking and your behavior; Purpose to chage behavior that increases temptation.

5 - Replace Your Sin with Righteousness: "Put on Christ." If you are a Christian, you are joined to Jesus Christ. His Spirit dwells within you. You can think and act as He does!

6 - Seek Fellowship as a Means of Grace: Inform godly friends or a pastor of your sin and the process you are engaging in to change.

7 - Review: Steps 1 through 5 daily, Step 6 for regular accountability.