Holy Spirit - Breath of GodSample

REPENTANCE

“In order to feel God’s forgiveness, we need acceptance from his people. If we confess our offences to one another and are accepted in spite of them, our relationship to the ideal changes. We begin to internalise the acceptance we feel from others, and our conscience changes: it becomes more loving.” — Henry Cloud, Changes That Heal

What sin are you addicted to and unwilling to repent from, that is grieving the Holy Spirit? In Jesus’ first sermons, he called people to repent, and from that moment onwards, repentance was a key theme in his teaching. At Pentecost, Peter said to the crowd, “Repent and believe, and you shall receive the Holy Spirit.” Repentance is the doorway into our journey with God and a pathway we’re called to keep walking along if we long to encounter and be empowered by the Spirit.

Confession can be painful, as it exposes the darkness within your heart. But know this – because the Holy Spirit loves you, he will bring sin to light. Confession heals – it heals the body, soul, and relationships. Confession is a means by which the Holy Spirit deepens our understanding of grace and fills us with the love of God.

EXAMEN EXERCISE

• REQUEST: Invite the Holy Spirit’s guidance and light during your reflection.
• REFLECT: Ask the Holy Spirit to disclose hidden areas of weakness or habits that are hindering your relationship with God, self, others, or the environment.
• REPENT: Confess to God and someone you trust, and apologise.
• REST: Remind yourself of the gospel of grace and humble yourself before God, accepting your limits and your frailties.