Repent and Pray
This morning I read Acts 8 and this evening I went over one short story in that chapter with the folks at prayer meeting. It was the story of Peter confronting Simon, the ex-sorcerer, when he offered to pay money to the apostles, if they would give him the ability to impart the Holy Spirit through the laying on of hands.(Acts 8:18-24) Peter was pretty blunt in confronting this new believer, because of the poison of bitterness and the bondage of sin he saw in his request. He knew that Simon's heart was not right, so Peter gave him the only solution.
Peter told Simon to repent of his sin and to pray for God to forgive the intention of his heart. I believe this remedy applies to all who have an impure heart. First, that person must have a change of heart and mind, so that they change their actions. That is repentance. Anything less than that will not be accepted by God. Also, they need to pray for forgiveness. God will not listen to prayers for forgiveness, unless He sees repentance, because He knows we will just go right back to sinning in the same way. However, if we repent and we sincerely want God to forgive us, so that we don't commit that sin any more, He will forgive us. God wants to save us from our sins, not save us in our sins.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Acts 11-13.
Peter told Simon to repent of his sin and to pray for God to forgive the intention of his heart. I believe this remedy applies to all who have an impure heart. First, that person must have a change of heart and mind, so that they change their actions. That is repentance. Anything less than that will not be accepted by God. Also, they need to pray for forgiveness. God will not listen to prayers for forgiveness, unless He sees repentance, because He knows we will just go right back to sinning in the same way. However, if we repent and we sincerely want God to forgive us, so that we don't commit that sin any more, He will forgive us. God wants to save us from our sins, not save us in our sins.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Acts 11-13.