Repentance & Faith (Part 3: Humility is Required) Pastor John Young, Maranatha Bible Baptist Church

Outwardly we can appear to before others to be penitent and faithful but in this lesson we see that God does not look outwardly but inwardly, at the genuineness of our heart. Yes God seeks outward actions but only from those who are doing them for Him out of genuine humility and not pretence. We see that those who in pride, pretence, or arrogance, who think God will save them if they only ask, or go through certain motions, will not receive of the Lord. Rather, God looking for humility in the heart of the petitioner will choose whom he will save and to whom He will give grace for a situation.

But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. 7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. (James 1:6-7) But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. (James 4:6)

Conclusion: In regards to “repentance and faith” we see these truths. 1. Humility is the state which God commands all men to be in before him (Isaiah 57:15, Psalms 51:17, 1 Peter 5:5). 2. God created all upright but all departed from him, causing spiritual death (Ecclesiastes 7:29, Romans 3:12; 7:9). 3. Call to repent is for all to return to God so He can restore their life by quickening Spirit of Christ (1 Peter 2:23-25). 4. To hear this call all must receive it with humility. (Proverbs 29:1, Hebrews 12:17, Proverbs 11:6, James 1:21) 5. God will not save the proud and rebellious even if they demand Him to. (Proverbs 1, Jeremiah 3:10, Titus 1:16) 6. God will only hear those who are humbly submitting to Him. The rest he Rejects. (1 Samuel 15:23, 2 Kings 17:7-23)