Change
When I ask for forgiveness for my sins, am I expected to do anything else? Look in John 8:10-11, NIV, to see that Jesus expects us to change. “Jesus straightened up and asked her, ‘Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?’ ‘No one, Sir,’ she said. ‘Then neither do I condemn you,’ Jesus declared. “Go now, and leave your life of sin.’ “
How can I ever make the changes I need in my life? Paul makes the answer clear. You’ll find it in 2 Corinthians 5:7, NIV. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has gone, and new has come!” Stay close to Jesus daily through prayer and Bible study. This is what the Bible calls “abiding in Christ.” Daily give Him permission to take control of your life, keep you out of temptation’s way and give you the power through Him to say no to sin.
First, ask God to change your mind about sin. Ask Him to forgive you for the things you have done to Him and to others as well. An attitude change will lead to changes in your actions. We call this confession of our sins. You’ll find it in 1 John 1:9, TLB. ”But if we confess our sins to him, he can be depended on to forgive us and to cleanse us from every wrong. [And it is perfectly proper for God to do this for us because Christ died to wash away our sins.]” You don’t do good things to be accepted by God, you already are accepted and loved. You do good things to show that you are following what God is telling you in your heart. You do them because you love Him and that He has forgiven you of your sins.
Next, you might need to go to those you have hurt and ask them to forgive you as well as pay back what you might have taken. There is a story about a man named Zacchaeus who did this. You’ll find Zacchaeus’ good example in the Bible. Look in Luke 19:1-10 for the fascinating story. Luke 19:8, NIV. “But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, "Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount."