I Prayed the Prayer
Some might say, “I prayed the Sinner’s Prayer, and meant it with all my heart. The person who led me through the prayer said if I meant it, I was now born again. People clapped and cheered for me. I felt acceptance, and even some excitement in the moment; but deep down, I don’t feel right with God. What am I supposed do with that?”
Nowhere in the Bible will one find the so-called Sinner’s Prayer; although, it might serve as an introduction to God so to speak. How many really understand what they are praying, especially if there’s no explanation?
A reason one might not feel right with God is faith and repentance was missing when he prayed. If he prayed the prayer, but still lives like the devil while living solely for himself, chances are he is not right with God. Repentance is lacking. If that’s the case, faith might not be in the picture as well.
Repentance and Faith
Salvation requires repentance and faith. What is repentance? It means afterthought, hence, a change of mind. The mind is where moral reflection is located. This change of mind is always positive -from evil to good. It does not merely reflect regret. To repent is to change one’s mind and purpose, or to think differently. Again, this change is always for the better, and denotes a change of moral thought and contemplation.
It involves regret and sorrow, accompanied by a true change toward God. It includes abhorrence or hatred of one’s past sins. We can get a fuller sense from this passage of Scripture, For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death (2 Corinthians 7:10).
Another way to look at it is to reform, or to have a genuine change of heart. To recover one’s senses, or come to a right understanding, includes the realization that we were born into sin, making us sinners by nature. If you question whether you are a sinner, consider this: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23).
Sin separated us from God, and condemned us to eternal death. The Gospel, or the good news is we can be reconciled to God through the atoning work of Jesus Christ.
Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Here’s a couple more examples of what repentance looks like.
Acts 26:18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in Me (Jesus).
This last verse pertains to the Apostle Paul’s mission to the Gentiles. It reveals the essence of repentance. One of the reasons Holy Spirit was sent to us was to convict us, so our eyes would be opened to our condition.
John 16:8-11 And when He (Holy Spirit) is come, He will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: Of sin, because they believe not on Me (Jesus); Of righteousness, because I go to My Father, and ye see Me no more; Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.
He reveals that without faith in Jesus, we would be lost in our sin. When our eyes are open to the truth, we turn from darkness to Light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that we may receive forgiveness of sins by placing our faith in Jesus.
Galatians 3:26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
Repentance is an act of humility, and devoid of self-righteousness. When a person is in repentance mode, he or she will not even consider comparing his or her self to another. Comparisons lead to rationalization. There will always someone “worse than we are.” Is that true? Jesus gives us clarity concerning this issue.
Luke 18:9-14 And He spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank Thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
If you are not right with God, now is the time. Repent, and put all your trust in Jesus Christ.
Acts 3:19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.
1 Thessalonians 1:9-10 For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God; And to wait for His Son from Heaven, Whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.
