The high and lofty one who lives in eternity, the Holy One, says this: “I live in the high and holy place with those whose spirits are contrite and humble. I restore the crushed spirit of the humble and revive the courage of those with repentant hearts. [Isaiah 57.15]
I just don't see that a repentant heart is ever a bad thing.
In fact, because it is impossible that any human can even know his own heart, it would seem that remaining contrite and humble is our only option if we are to please God.
“The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is? [Jeremiah 17.9]
Consequently, because no human can know his own heart, there remains only one sure way to determine if he is in need of repentance or not - his circumstances. If his circumstances are blessings (Deuteronomy 28), then, there is a good chance that his heart is pure. If however, his circumstances are curses (Deuteronomy 28), then there is a good chance his heart has some concealed sin for which he needs to repent.
Now, it is furthermore entirely possible that the curses in a person's life might be the result of disobedience in the realm of faith (without faith it is impossible to please God). It is as much a sin to not trust in Jesus as it is to murder someone.
If I survey all my life, can I say my heart is pure? No. If I survey all my life, can I say my faith is pure? No. If I survey all my life, can I say my circumstances are all blessings? No. So how could I ever stiffen my neck towards God and refuse to repent and remain repentant?
More than obedience to the Law of the Old Testament, we should all have a much greater concern that we live in obedience to faith. Eternity is at stake. Can we afford to have a lackadaisical attitude toward it?
Father, thank You for constantly speaking... Help me to be constantly listening... and hearing accurately.
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