Are you REALLY sorry?

Is an apology good enough for your sins?

True repentance and confession requires information, understanding, sorrow for sins, and acting upon that sorrow.

Most false conversions occur when people do not understand what is required for salvation, and are not instructed properly by the church, when they express interest.

They have no clue what sin really is, what harm and damage they have done, what sorrow for sins really is, and the pulpit message is only about the blessings of God.

Repentance becomes a vague regret of mistakes made in life, yet one is still drawn to the life they led.

The person feels apologetic, although they do not consider themselves a bad person, just someone who could use God’s help in their life to make it better on earth.

It does not take long for them to go back to what they were doing wrong, because they don’t see anything wrong to begin with.

An apology is not enough. A vague regret is not enough.

You have to be sincerely sorrowful, realize the evil in what you have done, and be convicted to never do it again.

You will make an effort to know what sin is, what behaviors are sin, and how to avoid them.

You will do a complete turn around in your life, give your heart to God, obey Him with all your heart, mind, and strength.

It will break your heart to disobey God now. You see the reality of sin as a horror to you, and do not even want to associate with those who live in it.

You will see every act of disobedience as crucifying Christ all over again. You will see your sins nailing Him back to the cross. Out of love, you cannot stand this thought. You could never do this to Him again. Your love for Jesus will rule your actions.

The Holy Spirit will guide you, not your flesh.

Not even negative circumstances, or the threat of death, will make you deny Christ as Savior and Lord, or motivate you to give up and go back to sin.

Self check:

Are you really saved? Be sure you have met these basic requirements. Make sure you have not been deceived into thinking you are saved, when you are not.

Be a true convert to Jesus, not a false one. Take the time to examine your life, and come up to God’s standards for holiness and commitment.