True Repentance, what does it entails

Conversion or to repent is a term that is widely used in the religious circle, but I wonder how many people have taken the time to ponder and consider the significance of conversion/repentance, and what actually transpires at conversion, and whether it is a real and literal process.

To the majority of people, as far as I can perceive conversion or repent is simply a change from one belief to another, or a change from lack of belief to having faith, but is there something more practical, more profound and literal that takes place at conversion or when one repents, which is openly manifested in the life of the individual who has repented or converted?

I therefore beg to ask the question is the plea to repent or be converted figurative, metaphoric or is it a literal and practical exercise? The irony of truth is, we are supposed to judge ourselves in this matter as we have been admonished saying; “For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged. But when we are judged, we are chastened by the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world.” And, “Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves that Jesus Christ is in you? …Unless, indeed you are disqualified.” (1 Corinthians 11:31-32: 2 Corinthians 13:5).

This situation is so real and practical that we have also been given the test result to prove whether or not Christ is in us: The test result reads as follows; “And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness” (Romans 8:10).

Therefore, let us now embark on having a better understanding of the significance and profoundness of repentance or conversion, by looking at eight (8) practical examples of what repentance/conversion truly entails. Since many people do not favor long articles, I will endeavor to make them brief and short as much as possible.

1.  From pride to humility

 Jesus Christ said to His disciples, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:3-4).

Therefore, vanity, pride, egotism are not part and parcel of the new creation which we are destined to become when repented or converted, for at conversion, one is renewed according to God in true righteousness and holiness and so the admonition is that we all be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble" (1 Peter 5:5, James 4:6). When repented or converted, one must take cognizance of the fact that, we have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer we who live, but Christ lives in us; and the life which we now live in the flesh we live by faith in the Son of God, who loved us and gave Himself for us. And whatsoever we do, it is neither by our might nor by our power, but it is by the Spirit of God. We must also take into consideration the fact that our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in us, whom we have from God, and we are not our own? For we were bought at a price; therefore , we are to glorify God in our body and in our spirit, which belongs to God.

To be continued

with brotherly love

Lucius Joseph