The People of Heaven come about through True Repentance
The citizens of heaven – God’s true children begin their spiritual journey with thorough and heartfelt repentance. This is not casual or surface-level repentance, nor is it something done because others expect it. Real repentance is personal, deep, and painful. It shakes the soul, disturbs our peace, and weighs on our hearts until we turn to God with complete surrender.
True repentance feels like sitting on thorns, swallowing poison, or being shaken by an inner earthquake. It’s like cutting into one’s own flesh or sawing through bones. It is not a half-hearted prayer, like “God, I sinned without knowing—please forgive me” that lacks devotion, sincerity, and brokenness. Only earnest confession, accompanied by genuine sorrow, leads to real changes.
The Bible teaches us that sin is what separates us from God. He is not distant, nor is His arm too short to help; it is sin that builds a wall. Jeremiah 5:25 and Isaiah 50:1–2 show that God desires to bless His people, but their sins block the way. Sin is our enemy—it distances us from the blessings God longs to pour out.
The scripture is clear: no one is without sin. If we say we are sinless, we don’t only deceive ourselves—we are calling God a liar (1 John 1:8–10). Even the smallest sins, like hate, side glances, or taking something without permission, must be confessed. Nothing should be hidden or excused. Repentance must be complete and sincere.
Some believe they’ve received grace just by learning about Jesus or being part of a church. But grace doesn’t come that easily. It cannot be earned or assumed—it is given by God in response to true repentance. And repentance must happen while we are still healthy, before sickness or weakness dulls our minds and saps our strength. Once bedridden or medicated, it becomes difficult to reflect, recall sins, and pray meaningfully.
That’s why now—while you can still read Scripture, attend church, and worship—is the time to repent. Pray with honesty: “Lord, I am truly a sinner. I have lived as though I’m innocent, and in doing so, I have made You out to be a liar.” Without this kind of confession, we carry the guilt of misrepresenting God.
Prophets like Jeremiah warned that people can become so shameless their hearts grow harder than stone. Despite God’s repeated warnings through His prophets, many people refused to listen. Their spiritual stubbornness blocked repentance.
1 John 1 assures us that when we confess our sins, God is faithful and just. He doesn’t interrogate or shame us—He simply forgives and cleanses. But if we deny our sin, we deny His truth.
The apostle Paul experienced this rejection when preaching to the Jews. Jealous and proud, many turned away from the gospel. Paul told them, “Since you consider yourselves unworthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles” (Acts 13:46). This was already prophesied by Isaiah. The Gentiles—once considered outsiders—were granted “repentance that leads to life” (Acts 11:18).
That phrase is powerful: repentance leads to life. It is not something we can do on our own. We must ask God to give us the spirit of repentance. It is a gift, and when it is given, it brings spiritual rebirth, renewal, and life.
Christianity itself begins with repentance. Without it, faith has no substance. Just as a building must have a strong foundation, so the Christian life must begin with the cornerstone of repentance. Ask yourself: Am I truly a follower of Christ? A child of God? If not, start by repenting.
When we repent, God forgives, adopts us as His children, and grants us an eternal inheritance. Repentance brings blessing not only to individuals but to families. More than financial wealth, what a household truly needs is repentance. When a family starts its journey with God on the foundation of repentance, blessings will follow.
Repentance is the gateway to everything: grace, peace, prayer, salvation, and joy. The moment we repent, God opens the doors of heaven. Peace fills the heart, and God’s favor begins to rest in our lives. Like Abraham, who was “blessed in every way” (Genesis 24:1), we also receive God’s blessings when we walk in repentance.
For believers, death is not to be feared—it is sleep. The Bible says those in Christ “fall asleep,” because they will awaken again. Before Jesus returns, some believers will still be alive, and they will be transformed and caught up to meet the Lord (1 Thessalonians 4:16). This is our glorious hope.
Repentance also brings the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38), the refreshing joy of forgiveness (Acts 3:19), and the ability to truly pray (Acts 8:22). Jesus began His ministry with one message: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near” (Mark 1:15). Without repentance, faith is empty. Repentance is turning away from sin and turning toward God.
It begins with intellectual repentance—acknowledging our sinful state. Then comes emotional repentance—grieving over the sin we’ve committed. Pray for the grace to remember every sin, even those long forgotten, and to confess them all sincerely to God.
David’s story is a prime example. After sinning with Bathsheba, he repented deeply. Though only he and Bathsheba knew the sin, God saw it. God sent the prophet Nathan, who revealed the truth through a parable. When David realized he was the man in the story, he was crushed. He wept, fasted, and soaked his bed with tears (Psalm 6:6–7). This is what emotional repentance looks like—deep, personal, and heartfelt.
Finally, the Bible groups all sins into four broad categories:
- Unbelief (Romans 14:23) – Not trusting in God
- Unrighteousness (1 John 5:17) – Doing what is wrong
- Failure to do good (James 4:17) – Neglecting righteous action
- Lawlessness (1 John 3:4) – Disregarding God’s law
Knowing these categories helps us examine ourselves and confess fully. Repentance—both in mind and heart—is the beginning of true faith and the mark of a life ready for heaven.
The Lord's Covenant Church Malaysia 