Theoretically, a person might change his ways for a number of reasons that have nothing to do with God. Repentance, however, is the reformation of one’s self because of godly sorrow. It has to do with God and it requires a certain kind of heart. For more information, visit AreYouaChristian.com

When mankind rebelled against Him, God subjected this world to “futility” (Romans 8:20,21), frequently preventing us from controlling everything we want to control. He lets us learn from the humbling experience of pouring our efforts into a bag with holes in it. For more information, visit AreYouaChristian.com

The fact is, we have to be taught what our greatest needs are. We think we know what these are, but our priorities can become dangerously disordered. We have to be taught (sometimes the hard way) that it is by God’s word that we live, not by bread alone. For more information, visit AreYouaChristian.com

Often our words serve the purpose of saying what we WANT to be true. Yet we need to be careful. Surrounded by other religious people, it’s easy to say nice things. But talk is cheap, as the saying goes. We need to mean every promise we make to God. For more information, visit AreYouaChristian.com

Converted to Christ, we set Him apart as our Lord. But living consistently under Christ’s lordship requires growth. We have to learn to yield our hearts completely to His direction. At our baptism, we’re just getting started in learning how to let Christ be our Lord. For more information, visit AreYouaChristian.com

Jesus urged us to “count the cost” of discipleship (Luke 14:25-33). If we’re not willing to throw the doors open and give God access to EVERY room in our hearts (even the “secret” ones), it is doubtful that our intentions are as serious as they should be. For more information, visit AreYouaChristian.com

God must be TREATED as holy, with respect for His commandments, and He will also DISPLAY His holiness in His dealings with those who come near -- even if that means punishing those who play fast and loose with His instructions and “worship” Him presumptuously. For more information, visit AreYouaChristian.com

Like it or not, there is a link between the CHARACTER of God and the COMMANDS of God. When God has given any instruction to regulate our behavior, we cannot disrespect His WORD without disrespecting HIM. There is no such thing as “reverent disobedience.” For more information, visit AreYouaChristian.com

The first thing that had to happen was for the people to repent of the sins for which they sought God’s forgiveness. So the only preaching that could have prepared them for the Messiah was the message that John the Baptist (and before him, Elijah) preached. For more information, visit AreYouaChristian.com

In practical terms, a person's burial and resurrection in baptism marks the beginning of a new life, so much so that it can be said that a new person has come into existence, one whose allegiance is now to Christ and not the world (Romans 6:3-5). For more information, visit AreYouaChristian.com