6. Testing the doctrine of “Hitting DELETE” to repent, without “turning from sin.”
Mike used to teach against the “greasy grace” doctrines. Over the years his teaching against hyper grace – easy repentance changed to, “If you have sinned, Hit Delete and….” Ironically those in the Prayer Room continually felt condemnation about whether they “were doing enough…”
For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death. II Co. 7:10
We should seek a Godly sorrow that is from the Holy Spirit as HE renews our minds and changes our hearts. The Holy Spirit as we learn to repent under the conviction of the Holy Spirit. It is not just feeling bad that we “failed” (“the sorrow of the world.) Feeling bad that we have failed is how the unsaved approaches bad behavior and it is NOT repentance. And as II Corinthians 7:10 says, “it produces death.” And I could add condemnation that leads to legalism that produces a form of Godliness but does not have the power…
II Timothy 3:5 holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power…
The change must be on a heart level and internal. Not on a thought level to absolve our disappointment in ourselves. Or the human deception, that if we only try harder, we will do better next time. That is why the whole passage of II Timothy 3 is a warning to the church and to those who only “Hit Delete” with their sin. Strong words from Paul to Timothy as their Apostolic Teams built the First Century Church.
For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self- control, brutal, haters of good, 4 treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these. 6 For among them are those who enter into households and captivate weak women weighed down with sins, led on by various impulses, II Timothy 3:2-6 NASB 1995
Repentance is not complicated and relatively easy. Our faith is in Jesus’ blood and His sacrifice for our sins. We seek a Godly Sorrow that impacts our hearts, will, emotions and minds. As the Holy Spirit does His work we are CHANGED from the inside out. We can have full assurance because of the Word of God is TRUE and not be always wondering if we have done enough to please God or even go to heaven.
If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all righteousness. 1 John 1:6-9 NASB 1995
II Peter 2 also warns about this state of NOT repenting, but thinking you are OK. Peter is concerned – like Paul - about this corruption that happens in the Church when men don’t become changed and free from habitual sins. - (dog returns to its own vomit)
18 For speaking out arrogant words of vanity they entice by fleshly desires, by sensuality, those who barely escape from the ones who live in error, promising them freedom while they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by what a man is overcome, by this he is enslaved. For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world by the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and are overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first. For it would be better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn away from the holy commandment handed on to them. It has happened to them according to the true proverb, “A dog returns to its own vomit,” and, “A sow, after washing, returns to wallowing in the mire.” II Peter 2:18-22 NASB 1995
Here are a few thoughts about the path and steps of TRUE REPENTANCE.
1. Seek God’s help and let the Holy Spirit, work the Fear of God and a heart change internally.
2. Have faith in the POWER of Jesus Blood and sacrifice to cleanse us from ALL sin.
3. Ask for forgiveness from God and also ask for forgiveness from those you have betrayed, hurt or offended by your sin.
4. Be aware of the Holy Spirit’s work as repentance produces a change of direction – a turning from the sinful acts. Although we may still have human desires, the fullness of the Holy Spirit guards our hearts and minds. Philippians 4:7
5. Habitual sin should be confessed to God AND MAN. Confession can break the stronghold of habitual sin that tries to hide and control our desires as the Holy Spirit works to cleanse us of ALL sinful behavior.
6. Accept and forgive yourself – because Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross is more powerful than any sinful act. Once you have truly repented, sin is not attributed to you.
7. Don’t let dark thoughts and memories bring condemnation into your mind and heart.
Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. Romans 8:1-2 NASB 1995
8. Finally, once Jesus brings us to True Repentance, we want to make restitution to those our sin has hurt or robbed. In the case of a leader committing habitual sin, the restitution may mean that he should ask for forgiveness for the harm his actions caused those he was supposed to help.
Zaccheus stopped and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, half of my possessions I will give to the poor, and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will give back four times as much.” 9 And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because he, too, is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” Luke 19:8-10 NASB 1995
It is my opinion that Mike Bickle personally followed a Roman Catholic ritual of confession to God and acceptance of absolution. He was unable to receive correction from many men who brought this fact to him over the year. Many of his practices were because of Roman Catholic and Episcopalian distortions of repentance.
I do not attempt to judge any man’s heart but I am making the above statement because of Mike’s actions and public teachings.
(Back to Title Page - https://www.gregorygrinstead.com/post/12-ihopkc-doctrines-practices-to-examine)
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