Jesus Christ and the 12 Steps.
Fifth step.
“ we Admitted to God, to ourselves, to another human being the exactly nature of our wrongs”
Repentance from Dead Works
The fifth step of Alcoholics Anonymous motivates us to confess and repent. Now, let's consider these two words because confessing without repentance is pointless. And for confession to have a positive effect in the future, I would say that repentance must be sincere and from God.
How do I relate this to our beloved Jesus Christ, who had nothing to be forgiven for? Well, first, I would look at the prayer He gave us as a model:
"Forgive us our sins, as we forgive our debtors"
Repentance is undoubtedly the first step for a Christian to turn to God. Let us read that He direct us to God. So, without awareness of our sins (something that we have already work out in the fourth step) we cannot see the greatness of God's sacrifice on the cross. Now, I would like to look at the action of repentance as our apostle and brother Paul presents it in Scripture:
We read in Romans 2:4:
“Or do you despise the riches of His kindness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that His kindness leads you to repentance?
!
God leads us to repentance; otherwise, Repentance comes from God!
About the second action: confession, the apostle James tells us,
“Confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous person is powerful.” James 5:16.
According to this verse, confession cleanses us and heals us. In other words, it keeps us in a position of peace before God and men. Now, there are many opinions about whom we should confess to and whom we shouldn’t. In my opinion, this act is a sensitive one, because I see that it depends on whether the end is constructive and, above all, edifying, not only for me but also for the one who I confess. By this, I mean, are you going to tell your brother a confession that hasn’t hindered him or created problems in his personal life, such as that you find him boring or unintelligent, or worse, that you have desired his wife? I would better keep it to myself, ask God for forgiveness and to help me to love and respect my brother as God loves him :) Sometimes is better to be wise than do as we are told.
Exhortation to Repentance.
Luke 13:1-5. Repentance is a turning away from sin, from the world, from the devil. It is a turning toward God. It is a change of mind and feelings, of will and behaviour. Let us look at the word.
Purpose
The value and importance of godly repentance in the life of the believer and the fruits worthy of righteousness it produces. Man is responsible for his actions and feels guilty because of his sin. Repentance causes us to turn away from sin and return to God.
Definition:
We need a clear understanding of the meaning of the word repentance as used in Scripture. In the New Testament, the Greek verb metanoein is usually translated as "repent." This Greek verb has a consistent meaning throughout the history of the Greek language, from classical Greek to the Greek of the New Testament. This fundamental meaning remains the same:
"to change one's mind."
Therefore, repentance in the New Testament is not a feeling, but a decision. Understanding this fact helps dispel many misconceptions about repentance. Many people associate repentance with emotions, such as shedding tears. However, it is possible for someone to become very emotional and shed numerous tears, yet never repent in the biblical sense.
Others associate repentance with special religious rites or ceremonies, commonly referred to as doing penance. The same applies here as well: it is possible to perform many religious rites and ceremonies without genuinely repenting in the biblical sense.
True repentance is a firm, internal decision, a change of mind.
If we go back to the Old Testament, we find that the word most commonly translated as repent literally means -to turn, to return, to turn back-
The New Testament Word “repentance” denotes the internal decision, the profound change of mind; the Old Testament word denotes the external action that expresses the internal change of mind; the act of turning back, of turning around.
Repentance is therefore an inner change that leads to a new direction toward God. This change is an experience, an attitude, and a process that continues throughout the believer's life.
Repentance: Epistrophe - To turn around, to turn. Life is changed in another direction.
The three afected area and stages of repentance in Matt. 3:2; Acts 17:30.
1. The first occurs in our minds and affects our understanding of where the knowledge of sin arises. It is an intellectual element, a change of perspective in which past life is recognised as a life of sin, involving personal guilt, defilement, and helplessness. Rom. 3:20. The mind. Acts 2:14-40.
2. The second occurs in emotions. It is an emotional element that evokes feelings of pain and sadness.It is a change of heart- a sense for the sin committed against God. Psalm 51. II Cor. 7:9,10.
3. The third occurs in our will. It is a volitional element that produces a change of purpose, a turning from sin, and a willingness to seek forgiveness and cleansing. Acts 2:38. It inclines the will to effect a change of mind—which is what the Greek word metanoia means—and a complete reversal of personality.
In general terms, repentance encompasses an increase in true discernment that leads the sinner to despair of himself and reject any idea of redemption through his own efforts. Rom. 7:24.
a. Confession of sin to God. 1 Jn. 1:9.
b. Man's confession, including restitution. Mt. 6:14, 15; Lk. 19:8.
c. Turning from sin. Prov. 28:13; 2 Cor. 6:14-18.
d. Turning to God.