Three
Dimensions of Repentance
We never reach a place where the cleansing fires of repentance die out. The great tragedy in the church today is many reach a point of pride and misunderstanding the active role that repentance should play in all of our lives. From this point, I would like to share with you the Three Dimensions of Repentance.
The First Dimension - A Sinner Repenting
The Bible says that there is rejoicing in heaven when one sinner comes to repentance. This is where we all get on board the God train. Without repentance, there is no forgiveness. Without Repentance there is no restoration. Without repentance there is no revival. Repentance is where everything begins to get fixed.
The best picture of this first dimension is illustrated so beautifully by the parable of the prodigal son. He in rebellion and stubbornness succumbs to the sirens of a sinful world and goes out and spends all of his substance and virtue in the destructive lifestyle found so prevalent even in our world today. The downward trend brings him to a terrible end. He is so hungry that he is about to eat unspeakable things and the beginning of repentance ensues. He comes to himself and realizes, “I would rather be a slave in daddy’s house than to stay here with the task master of sin.” He comes to a place where he is humbled by his condition and he is willing to come crawling back into the presence of God. This is the first dimension of repentance.
The Second
Dimension - A Child of God surrendering to the Will of God
This is demonstrated in the life of Jonah. Where this is needed is a child of God in a place of willful disobedience. This is a place where we try to sleep through self inflicted storms. This is a place where God will build us a prayer room and the only way it will get better is for us to surrender to the will of God for our lives.
The Third Dimension - Intercessory Repentance
This is demonstrated in the ministry of Isaiah in chapter six of his prophetic book. We catch a glimpse through his eyes of the holiness and majesty of the Lord God Almighty. When he sees this, he is struck with the dire weakness of his own humanity and cries out for forgiveness for himself, but he goes one step further.
Intercessory
Repentance. This is what we see in this dimension, where we no longer
plead our own case, but we expand our focus and contrition and enter into a
place where we are crying out for mercy and forgiveness for our families,
neighbors, friends, cities and nations.
It is in this special place where we hear the heart beat of God and his desire to speak and save his people and our hearts response is, “Here am I, Lord Send Me.” It is in this third dimension where ministries are born and miracles are realized. This is where visions take place and dreams are realized.
The point of this whole message is, we must stoke the fires of repentance on our altars of prayer. We must not feel satisfied not to be a drunk or a liar. We must not be satisfied to be surrendered to the will of God, but we must go one step further, where we are willing to spend and be spent for the salvation of others, no matter what the cost God may lay on us.
In repentance, the Prodigal is restored to his place of sonship. The Word of the Lord returns the second time to the disobedient child of God after repentance. And finally, in this third dimension an angel comes and cleanses us from our iniquity and we are able to be of use in the work of God and his purpose.
It is in this third dimension where harvest and restoration really takes place.
Going to the Third Dimension,
In Him, By Him, Through Him,
Scott Phillips
Help spread the word, forward to someone you know who is searching for the perfect will of God for their lives.
