Today's devotion is from 2 Timothy 2:24-26
"And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will."
There are three words to consider when defining repentance.
English Dictionary "To feel or express sincere regret or remorse about one's wrongdoing or sin."
Old Covenant "Hebrew 'shüv' To turn around and change your direction."
New Covenant "Greek 'metä-noe'ō' and “metä'-noiä” To change one’s mind." or to renew one's mind.
We do not have the ability to change our direction in our own strength, and thank the Lord that as believers we do not have to change ourselves by our willpower.
We are transformed by grace from glory to glory by the Holy Spirit, as we renew our minds, (Romans 12:2) and not by willpower, condemnation or self effort .
TRUE NEW COVENANT REPENTANCE IS THE RENEWING OF OUR MINDS.
Again, it says in 2 Timothy 2:24-26 that when God grants REPENTANCE believers will know the truth, and come to their senses and then they will escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him [the devil] to do his will.
The snare of the devil is deception, and if a believer believes wrongly or if he or she is deceived into believing a lie, then they will reject the truth, and then it cannot set them free. No amount of willpower can change the direction of a deceived believer.
REPENTING, OR CHANGING THE WAY YOU THINK IS ACHIEVED BY GRACE AND IT IS A FRUIT THAT COMES BY BEING ENGRAFTED INTO THE VINE. IT IS NOT A WORK THAT ACHIEVES RIGHTEOUSNESS, IT IS A FRUIT THAT COMES AS A RESULT OF ALREADY BEING MADE RIGHT THROUGH CHRIST!
I’m going to stop here and continue in tomorrow’s teaching.
For today, simply thank the Lord that He has granted you repentance by His grace. Thank Him that you are receiving truth and renewing your mind more and more each day by His grace. Thank the Lord that He is removing all deception and wrong thinking, and that you are escaping every the snare of the devil.
PRAYER
Father, I thank You that in the New Covenant You have granted me repentance by Your grace. Thank You that I have the mind of Christ, I receive your truth, I come to my senses in Christ, and I escape every snare of the devil, in Jesus Name!
My mind is continually being renewed, and I am continually being transformed into Your image, in Jesus Name!