CCF International Church

This week we will continue to study the characteristics of humility. The third characteristic we will study is PENITENCE 

CHARACTERISTICS OF HUMILITY – PENITENCE Perspective by Apostle Mervin Mundie, Christian Outreach Ministries, Umzinto, KZN, South Africa

Penitence is the feeling of deep sorrow, regret, or contrition for sins, faults, or wrongdoings, often accompanied by a sincere desire to make amends. It signifies a formal, heartfelt remorse rather than just superficial sadness, frequently involving a willingness to turn away from past mistakes.

A SOBER MIND

The biblical definition of sober is to be in your right mind; to have a disciplined, sound mind. Being sober-minded is renewing your mind with the word of God for emotional and spiritual stability. That’s why it is important to read, study, and memorize the Bible.  
Each scripture you commit to memory is a deposit in your spiritual storehouse. At just the right moment, the Spirit will bring it to your remembrance to help you in your time of need.

Romans 12:I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

GODLY SORROW Godly sorrow is a deep, heartfelt conviction of sin that leads to genuine repentance, transformation, and salvation. Unlike worldly sorrow, which focuses on self-pity or fear of consequences, godly sorrow focuses on how sin has grieved God and harmed others. It is a work of the Holy Spirit that results in turning away from sin.

II Corinthians 7:10 For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death 11 For observe this very thing, that you sorrowed in a godly manner: What diligence it produced in you, what clearing of yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what vehement desire, what zeal, what vindication! In all things you proved yourselves to be clear in this matter.

Even Jesus, with all His Annointing, Ability to do miracles and bringing redemption to mankind, knowing that Lazarus WILL be raised from the dead, also experienced Godly Sorrow.

John 11:35 Jesus wept.

TURNING AWAY FROM IDOLS Turning away from idols involves identifying anything—such as relationships, career, or self-image—that takes precedence over God and consciously replacing that devotion with a, “radical pursuit of Jesus”. This process, often called repentance, requires acknowledging these false comforts, surrendering them through prayer, and actively shifting focus back to God.

Exodus 20:3 “You shall have no other gods before Me 4 “You shall not make for yourself a carved image—any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; 5 you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me,

THE PRODIGAL SON. The story of the Prodigal Son is the epitome of HUMILITY, repentance and moving forward toward the Mark of Perfection. Even in his Darkest moments he came to a realization that there is still hope in Repentance. Salvation came to him, only through total surrender. Not just in his mind and heart, but his entire being had to surrender. And he acted on it. Then only was salvation and redemption established.

Luke 15:20 And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him.

Notes extracted from the book “Rest in the Day of Perils” –  Dr S.Y. Govender

Penitence is the expression of remorse, sorrow and contrition for sins. A penitent attitude is a sign of humility. Features of a penitent attitude :

A SOBER MIND

Romans 12:3 For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.

The word “soberly” is derived from the Greek word sōphronéō (G4998) and means to be sober minded, to think and act soberly, discreetly, to use sound judgement and moderation, to be self disciplined. (CWSB Dictionary)

This is a mind that is devoid of egotism and narcissism

GODLY SORROW

2 Corinthians 7:10 For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death.

Joel 2:12 “Now, therefore,” says the LORD, “Turn to Me with all your heart, With fasting, with weeping, and with mourning.” 13 So rend your heart, and not your garments; Return to the LORD your God, For He is gracious and merciful, Slow to anger, and of great kindness; And He relents from doing harm.

God required repentance accompanied by mourning and grief of heart

2 Chronicles 34:27 because your heart was tender, and you humbled yourself before God when you heard His words against this place and against its inhabitants, and you humbled yourself before Me, and you tore your clothes and wept before Me, I also have heard you,” says the LORD.

Josiah expressed Godly sorrow after hearing the Law. 

To despise one’s spiritual condition 

Job 42: 6 Therefore I abhor myself, And repent in dust and ashes.”

Turning away from idols

Ezekiel 14:6 “Therefore say to the house of Israel, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: “Repent, turn away from your idols, and turn your faces away from all your abominations.

Acknowledgment of sin

David acknowledged his sin

Psalms 51:3 For I acknowledge my transgressions, And my sin is always before me. 4 Against You, You only, have I sinned, And done this evil in Your sight— That You may be found just when You speak, And blameless when You judge.

The prodigal….

Luke 15:18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you,

The Hebrew word for “penitence” or “repentance” is Teshuvah. It literally means a “return” or “turning back” to God, representing a proactive, actionable change in behavior rather than just a state of mind. It involves turning away from sin and returning to a right path.

Teshuvah meaning :

While English penitence often focuses on regret, Teshuvah implies returning to a state of righteousness. (Jewish Theological Seminary)

This  Hebrew word Teshuvah comes from the root “to return.”

To regret an offense (sin) is only the first step in the process of teshuvah

The Word teshuvah means “turning,”

It means a “turning” that would ultimately restore a person to the state of righteousness 

This modern society is pressurising victims to forgive their offenders for the sake of their own mental health and peace. 

Penitence is clearly a process During these days where we are partaking of the Holy Sacraments at the Table of the Lord, we must contemplate this process that causes us to return to the process of Penitence and Forgiveness. We are partaking of His Body and His Blood “in remembrance of Him” and His Finished work on the Cross. 

Here is the question that demands our response …… Should forgiveness be unconditional without the need for repentance?

How did we all receive forgiveness for our sins from our Lord,Saviour and Redeemer Christ Jesus ?

1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.

Why are believers in the Lord Christ Jesus bold and confident in their Redemption ?

The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector

Romans 10:9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. 13 For “whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.”

Luke 18:11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.’ 13 And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’ 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

JOSEPH AND HIS BROTHERS ARRIVE IN EGYPT

22 years had passed from the time the brothers of Joseph sold him into slavery until he met his brothers again when they arrived in Egypt seeking grain. Joseph knew who they were.

Genesis 42:8 So Joseph recognized his brothers, but they did not recognize him.

One would have thought that considering the exalted position of Joseph as ruler in Egypt, considering that 22 years had passed, Joseph would have rushed to embrace his estranged family. Instant forgiveness – instant reconciliation. Remember that Joseph is a “type of Christ” in the Old Testament.

Jesus reinforces the perspective of Joseph. As many times as our brothers repent, forgive them as many times.

Luke 17:3 Take heed to yourselves. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. 4 And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day returns to you, saying, ‘I repent,’ you shall forgive him.”

Joseph wanted to ensure that the hearts of his brothers had truly reformed over the years. As much as every part of his being was inclined to rush to embrace his brothers, he did not allow his personal emotions or sentiments to cloud his judgement.

The brilliant test that reveals the intuitive, discerning skill and wisdom of Joseph was crafted by him to establish if the hearts of his brothers had truly reformed over the years. Joseph demands that his blood brother Benjamin, the youngest and the life of his father Jacob becomes his slave. Remember both Joseph and Benjamin were the only sons born to Rachel. Judah steps up and offers to serve as a slave in the place of Benjamin. 

Genesis 44:33 Now therefore, please let your servant remain instead of the lad as a slave to my lord, and let the lad go up with his brothers. 34 For how shall I go up to my father if the lad is not with me, lest perhaps I see the evil that would come upon my father?”

Genesis 45:1 Then Joseph could not restrain himself before all those who stood by him, and he cried out, “Make everyone go out from me!” So no one stood with him while Joseph made himself known to his brothers. 2 And he wept aloud, and the Egyptians and the house of Pharaoh heard it. 3 Then Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph; does my father still live?” But his brothers could not answer him, for they were dismayed in his presence. 4 And Joseph said to his brothers, “Please come near to me.” So they came near. Then he said: “I am Joseph your brother, whom you sold into Egypt.

This act of Judah reveals that the hearts of his brothers have truly repented and reformed

JUDAH DEMONSTRATES THE HEART OF A REPENTANT LEADER AS HE OFFERS HIMSELF AS THE SACRIFICIAL LAMB FOR THE REDEMPTION OF BENJAMIN

Genesis 44:33 Now therefore, please let your servant remain instead of the lad as a slave to my lord, and let the lad go up with his brothers.

JACOB PROPHESIES THAT THE SCEPTER (LEADERSHIP) WILL NOT DEPART FROM JUDAH.

Genesis 49:10 The scepter shall not depart from Judah, Nor a lawgiver from between his feet, Until Shiloh comes; And to Him shall be the obedience of the people.

THE KING OF NINEVEH DEMONSTRATES CLEAR LEADERSHIP WHEN HE RESPONDS TO THE PROPHETIC WORD OF THE LORD THROUGH THE PROPHET JONAH. GOD FORGAVE THEIR SINS 

Jonah 3:6 Then word came to the king of Nineveh; and he arose from his throne and laid aside his robe, covered himself with sackcloth and sat in ashes. 7 And he caused it to be proclaimed and published throughout Nineveh by the decree of the king and his nobles, saying,

Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste anything; do not let them eat, or drink water. 8 But let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and cry mightily to God; yes, let every one turn from his evil way and from the violence that is in his hands. 9 Who can tell if God will turn and relent, and turn away from His fierce anger, so that we may not perish?

10 Then God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God relented from the disaster that He had said He would bring upon them, and He did not do it.

ZACCHAEUS DEMONSTRATED A HEART OF REPENTANCE 

Luke 19:8 Then Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold.” 9 And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham; 10 for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”

Repentance not only attracts forgiveness; it also attracts the Presence of the Lord in our house. 

HOLY SACRAMENTS – TABLE OF THE LORD

During these three months, as we serve the Holy Sacraments in our own homes, let us repent as individuals and heads of houses to attract the forgiveness and the blessings that come from God

CORPORATE SIN DEMANDS CORPORATE REPENTANCE

Romans 3:22 even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus

The corporate sin in Nineveh was recognised by the king in Nineveh. Corporate sin demands Corporate repentance. Our redemption is attained through the grace of our Lord Christ Jesus and His finished work on the Cross