Sunday, December 14, 2008

True or False:

The sinners prayer is repentance.

3 comments:

G.N. said...

If I understand correctly, then your question is asking if the "sinner's prayer" itself IS repentance, to that I must respond- false.

If it is PART of repentance, then true, but I would like clarity...

Anonymous said...

Yes, Greg your first impression is the question that I am asking.

I have some thoughts I am working through and maybe some fears. Although I see value in it, I am also beginning to see the sinners prayer as a stumbling block if repentance stops there. I am interested in other's thoughts on it.

I will post more of my own thoughts later.

Anonymous said...

I agree with Greg completely.

The sinners prayer alone is incomplete repentance. In my own life, (I am a pastor wife and have trusted the Lord since 8), when I really made a list,taking an inventory of sins in my life and generations, and confessed them to others- God moved. It was the hardest thing I ever did in my life. I not only had issues of wrong lordship, but needed deliverance. No wonder I could never overcome certain things in my life, I was trying to do it all in the flesh when I was in a spiritual battle. But my eyes were never open to that until I will willing to lay everything down for the Lord. Afterwards, I also received the baptism of the Holy Spirit. I did not even know anything about that at the time.

So I agree with Greg, It is FALSE that the sinners prayer IS repentance. The work is incomplete if you stop there.

Since I have repented, I have seen God's hand move more mightily. While helping others take the inventory and repent, I have for the first time in ministry seen a marriage healed in 2 days. Only God can do that.