WEEK 4 

A Call to Consecration - Walk in Repentance

Right now across the earth God is asking his church, you and I, a question; "Who can ascend the hill of the Lord? Or who may stand in His holy place?" (Psalm 24:3) This is not a rebuke or correction, it is an invitation! God never asks a question that He does not know the answer to. In love He gives us the answer; "Those with clean hands and a pure heart who has not lifted up his soul to an idol, nor sworn deceitfully" (Psalm 24:4).   

When God deals with our sin and we respond in humility with repentance and forgiveness we are invited into the "Most Holy Place" of His presence without hindrance or reservation. From this posture He not only listens but He Hears and moves on our behalf with extreme prejudice (read Psalm 18:6-18). 

How we come before the Lord makes a difference in how he hears and how He responds. Here are just a few of the Scriptures that confirm this:

• If I regard iniquity in my heart the Lord will not hear (Psalm 66:18) 
• Proverbs 15:8-9 tells us that the prayer of the upright is His delight...
• Isaiah 59:1-2 - Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear. But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear. 
• Psalm 34:5 tells us that the eye of the Lord is on the Righteous and His ears are open to their cry.
• And in James we are told that the effective, fervent prayer of the righteous avails much.

If we refuse to deal with our sin, presume wrongly upon His Grace and come before Him in presumption, we are risking not only our fellowship, but in a real way our lives. Remember repentance is about love not law. It is not about being perfect; it is about being perfected in His love.

When we choose to walk in repentance God opens the heavens and invites us to draw near. Repentance is the door to the Kingdom. A repentant life is not about our will or about our ability but rather about our motivation and our heart. We repent to remove anything that may hinder our relationship with our God. It is about jealousy for His presence. How jealous are you?

RESPOND

The response is simple, from the place of humility with a jealous desire for His presence, ask the Lord to search your heart and hands and to reveal any sin known or unknown.  Once you ask be quiet and listen, take notes if you have to.  

REPENT 

Be jealous for your relationship with God. Repentance is a response to love from the place of worship and His presence. It is personal before it is corporate.  

• Take time to biblically deal with each sin that God has shown you. If God brings to your remembrance any people who you need to forgive or seek forgiveness from do it quickly in obedience.  
• Repentance is a lifestyle, commit to daily ask the Lord to examine your heart and hands. Ask Him how you are doing. Remember the motivation is love not law.  

PRAY

Pray Psalm 51 over your life. Make it personal.

WORSHIP

You are forgiven! Worship the Lord from the revelation of your redemption and salvation. Worship the Lord in the splendor of His holiness (Psalm 96:9). Worship the Lord for the gift of the cross and the power of the resurrection.