Inquiring Mind: Hi Pastor, I hope you’re doing well.
I’ve been reading your book Corrective Judgement and I had a question.
In your book you said:
“True repentance is about being so contrite that it brings you to tears, that you sorrow unto repentance, not unto condemnation. You must be truly sorry for what you have done...”
As I sit here and meditate, I prayed and asking the Lord to forgive me for what I have done and really tried to repent, but it wasn’t in me to truly say sorry and ask for forgiveness. Why don’t I feel like I truly want to repent?
Pastor Vitale: Hi Axxxxx. That is a really good question. The answer is that we do not really have the ability to repent. What happens is that we believe that a particular thing or behavior is a sin. This is called “conviction.” Once we are convicted that something is a sin, then we must confess that we have done it. This is called “confession.” After that, the Lord grants us repentance. The sign that we have been granted the privilege of repentance is that we feel bad about what we have done.
The King James Translation says “convince,” but it means “convict.”
“to execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.”
Jude 1:15
15 To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.
KJV
Inquiring Mind: Thank you for sharing this!
What happens after the conviction and confession? Is that the starting process of repentance?
Pastor Vitale:
1 John 1:9-10
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
KJV
2 Timothy 2:25-26
25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;
26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.
KJV
2 Corinthians 7:9-10
9 Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing.
10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.
KJV
You are welcome.
And the answer to your question is “yes” after conviction and confession God grants us repentance which begins with a Godly sorrow.
Inquiring Mind: Thank you for answering my questions. Hope the ministry is doing well. God bless you.
Pastor Vitale: It is my pleasure to help you Axxxxx.
God bless you too
Corrective Judgment outlines the procedure for exchanging the fallen nature of mankind for the sinless nature of the Lord Jesus Christ, one man at a time. The following topics are discussed: Who Are We?; The Resurrection of Christ in Us (The Core of the Scripture); Resurrection Begins With the Awakening of Abel; The Warfare (Overcoming our Carnal Mind); The Power of Repentance; Judging Our Sin Nature; Power Arises From Sinlessness; Submission to the Pastor; God's Court and Judgment; Time For Ascension; Honor and Integrity (God's Army); Our Character Reveals Who We Are; Cleave To God Through Righteousness.
