Sunday, November 1, 2015

WHO'S SORRY NOW?

An article by 
Molly Noble Bull

Who's Sorry Now is the title of a popular song recorded by Connie Frances back in 1958. But for me and perhaps other Christians, the title has another meaning. I’m talking about repentance.
I was raised in a liberal, mainline denominational church but back when sin was a big deal—back when bad was bad and good was good. In fact, we always repeated word-for-word from the prayer book what was called the General Confession (confession of sin) before taking Holy Communion/The Lord’s Supper. So I got in the habit of repenting of my sins at an early age.
But after I married and my husband and I joined an evangelical church, I noticed that sin didn’t appear to be as serious a mistake as it had been at my previous church. The church seemed to be saying that repentance came before salvation, but after salvation, it was optional.
Someone told me that once you were saved you didn’t need to repent anymore because your sins were forgiven—past, present and future. I can and do believe that because the Bible says so, and I believe the Bible. Nevertheless, I continued to repent of my daily sins at my new church—24/7, and I am still doing it today.
Why?
Call it habit, if you like. I call it love and respect for the LORD and his only begotten son, Jesus.
Christians are in a marriage relationship with their future spouse, Jesus, and I think we should think of that relationship like marriage between one man and one woman. When wives burn dinner, husbands often take the family out for a meal at a restaurant, and most wives tell their husbands they are sorry for burning the meal even though they aren’t required to do so via the marriage license. It is simply the kind and polite thing to do, and it shows love and respect for the husband.
Can you imagine a proper wife thinking or saying, “Okay. I burned supper. But if you think I am going to say I’m sorry, you have another think coming.”
I repent of all my evil thoughts and deeds that are not in line with the God’s views found in the Holy Bible because I love the Lord and want to please Him, and it is hard to miss the importance of repentance all through the Bible. I am especially aware of what the Book of Revelation has to say on the subject.

As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.
Revelation chapter 3 and verse 19, KJV

See what I mean?
I find this verse important because, to me, it leaves the impression that even at the end of the world, repentance would have been possible if sinners had simply repented—told to the Lord in prayer that they were sorry.

And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk:
Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts.
Revelation 9: 20-21, KJV

And men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the name of God, which hath power over these plagues: and they repented not to give him glory.
Revelation 16: 9

Who Is Sorry Now?
Those that refused to repent of their sins and follow the Lord with their whole hearts.

Molly 

Postscript:
I cannot go into the entire world and preach the gospel of Jesus Christ, but as a Christian author, my books and articles can. Take a look at the cover of my newest western romance novel, When the Cowboy Rides Away
By the way, you can read the first few chapters for free if you visit my web site at www.mollynoblebull.com. Once there, scroll down and click Molly's Free Downloads, and allow a minute or two for the chapters to load. 



Or



The Cowboy Rides Away has two companions--two study guides for home school families based on my western novel and written by Jeanette Pierce. Take a look.

To find all my novels, write Molly Noble Bull in the search slot at online and walks-in stores. 




9 comments:

Molly Noble Bull said...

Don't forget. When the Cowboy Rides Away if free right now via Kindle Unlimited.
Thanks.
Molly

Molly Noble Bull said...

Forget If. When the Cowboy Rides Away IS free right now at Kindle Unlimited.

Gail Kittleson said...

Molly, your take on repentance/forgiveness being a daily occupation and the liturgy of your childhood resonates w/me. Thanks.
Your novel sounds intriguing - is there a print version?

Molly Noble Bull said...

Yes, Gail, When the Cowboy Rides Away is available in paperback and as an e-book at Amazon. And thanks for leaving a comment.
Love,
Molly

Unknown said...

I love this, Molly! I've been thinking a lot about John 16 lately, and I think that this post speaks to that. Jesus tells us, "Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. When he comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment: ... But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you" (John 16:7b-8, 13-14). If we aren't convicted of our sin, I have to wonder if we are walking in the Spirit because Jesus clearly tells us that the Spirit's conviction is part of His guidance to us.

Martha said...

Well done Molly. I enjoyed reading your article on repentance and I am looking forward to more biblical topics!

Molly Noble Bull said...

Thanks Elizabeth and Martha for leaving comments. I think I will be writing more articles like this one in the future and less about me and my interests.
Love,
Molly

Teresa Slack said...

Molly, your articles always make me think. I was raised in a mainline church as well, but have gone the more evangelical route in my adulthood. The church of my childhood focused on works & the law though everyone there loved the Lord. It was hard for me to separate God as a strict schoolmaster who really didn't care for his pupils as long as they followed the rules and stayed out of trouble. Now I believe I know so much more about who God really is and what he thinks of his children. Thanks for the article & I look forward to reading more.

Molly Noble Bull said...

Thanks for writing, and I am so glad you liked my article.
Love,
Molly