As we draw near to the Spring feasts we are all reminded of leaven, trespass, and the need we all have for our Savior!

REPENT for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!

Let us all look carefully at HOW to RePENT.

We hear this word "Repent" and for many this means to APOLOGIZE and express remorse for your sin or trespass.

While indeed remorse is an important part of the process as it pertains to self reflection and recognition of failure, sin, or trespass, it is not in and of itself ... Repentance.

When we look carefully at the word Repent, there are clues contained within the word itself.

John declared:

Matthew 3:7-9 "But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?

Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:

And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that Elohim is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. "

No excuses will be accepted.

John grants no quarter and declares the need for not only the baptism of repentance, but the FRUIT that would demonstrate a truly repentant heart.

"Re" is the prefix which means "to do again" and PENT is the pinnacle or top. These means to me, come back to the HIGH CALLING and behavior that is above reproach and all will behold the fruit thereof.

To express remorse to Elohim is indeed commended as Messiah declares about the man who beat his chest saying "woe to me a sinner" for he gave himself NO EXCUSES or mitigation.

This man went away forgiven.

When we rely on the power of "apology" rather than changed behavior, we will be disappointed and we will disappoint others.

An apology can be taken as a "letter of intent" but cannot substitute for fruit meet for repentance. It is simply stating that the trespass is acknowledged without excuses.

The answer to a trespass is not the quality of the apology but the demonstration of changed behavior that is reflective of the increased awareness of one's own trespasses.

The best way to truly repent is not only to express remorse to those who may have been affected by the trespass but also to refrain from the behavior going forward.

Over time, those who were affected by any failure will heal of any wounds and recovery can bring forth good fruit. Many times this happens far away from even a repentant person who committed the trespass.

Only Elohim can wipe away our tears as our hearts are remorseful and HE will always bring us through the CLEANSE of unrighteousness that we would be more fruitful and increase.

"If your BROTHER offends you" is very different than if the WORLD or the HEATHEN offend you. A brother is one who hears the word of Elohim and does it.

Matthew 12:50 "For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother."

So we see that we forgive our brother seventy times seven.

As you approach the Feasts, look carefully at your own walk and if you need to REPENT for sin or trespass, do not consider the matter concluded in apology but in fruit meet for repentance over extended periods of time.