Day 30 – Teen Devotion: Unveiling Your Secret Weapon

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We are going to uncover and discover one of the most powerful tools God has given you for growth: repentance. Many Christians understand repentance as something that happens at salvation, but its role in sanctification—your ongoing transformation—is often overlooked. The Christian life is repentance at salvation and ongoing repenting in our progressive sanctification.

Read Rick’s 31-Day Devotions

• 31-Day Marriage Devotion
• 31-Day Parenting Devotion
• 31-Day Teen Devotion

The Purpose of Repentance

To put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness (Ephesians 4:22-24).

Repentance is the Bible’s word for change, and it’s the reason Jesus came. While salvation secures your relationship with God, ongoing repenting transforms your life day by day. It’s the process of becoming more like Christ—what we call progressive sanctification.

Think of your spiritual growth like physical growth. When you were born, you weren’t fully developed; you had years of growth ahead to become mature. Similarly, being born again is just the starting point. The rest of your life is about learning, growing, transforming, and maturing into Christlikeness (1 Peter 2:2).

Distinguishing Salvation and Sanctification

Salvation:

• Secures your justification—declared not guilty
• Adopts you into God’s family
• Guarantees your eternal future

Sanctification:

• Prepares you to live well in a fallen world
• Helps you overcome sin and reflect Christ’s character
• Is an ongoing process of growth and change

Salvation happens in a moment; sanctification occurs over a lifetime. You don’t need to be born again, but you do need to keep repenting, learning, and transforming.

How to Repent

Repentance isn’t about saying sorry; it’s about realigning your thoughts, desires, and actions with God’s Word. Here’s a simple framework for repentance:

1. Identify the Sin: Be honest about the specific area in your life that doesn’t align with God’s standards.
2. Confess It to God: Acknowledge your sin and ask for forgiveness (1 John 1:9).
3. Seek Accountability: Share your struggle with a trusted Christian friend or mentor who can guide and encourage you.
4. Take Action: Make practical changes to turn away from sin and toward Christ.

Time to Reflect

1. What is one thing about you that you want to change? Take time to reflect on an area of your life where you need transformation.
2. Will you share that with a compassionate Christian mentor? Seek someone competent, courageous, and compassionate to walk with you through the process of repentance.

Repentance isn’t just a one-time event; it’s a lifelong journey of becoming more like Jesus. Embrace it as your secret weapon for growth, and watch how God transforms your life for His glory.

Let’s move forward, committing to a life of ongoing repentance and Christlike transformation.

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Rick Thomas

Rick launched the Life Over Coffee global training network in 2008 to bring hope and help for you and others by creating resources that spark conversations for transformation. His primary responsibilities are resource creation and leadership development, which he does through speaking, writing, podcasting, and educating.

In 1990 he earned a BA in Theology and, in 1991, a BS in Education. In 1993, he received his ordination into Christian ministry, and in 2000 he graduated with an MA in Counseling from The Master’s University. In 2006 he was recognized as a Fellow of the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors (ACBC).