Returning to God

Isaiah 53:6 HCSB

We all went astray like sheep; we all have turned to our own way; and the Lord has punished Him for the iniquity of us all.

See also ; ; ;

Wayward people must return to God

; ;

See also ; ; ; ; ; ; ;

Means of returning to God

Realisation of estrangement from God

Lamentations 3:40 HCSB

Let us search out and examine our ways, and turn back to the Lord.

See also ; ; ;

Acknowledgment of sin

Psalm 51:3 HCSB

For I am conscious of my rebellion, and my sin is always before me.

See also ; ; ; ; ;

Sorrow for sin

Psalm 38:18 HCSB

So I confess my guilt; I am anxious because of my sin.

See also ;

A sense of guilt for sin

2 Samuel 24:10 HCSB

David’s conscience troubled him after he had taken a census of the troops. He said to the Lord, “I have sinned greatly in what I’ve done. Now, Lord, because I’ve been very foolish, please take away Your servant’s guilt.”

See also ; ; ; ;

Repentance

;

See also

A parable of returning to God

Luke 15:11–24 HCSB

He also said: “A man had two sons. The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the estate I have coming to me.’ So he distributed the assets to them. Not many days later, the younger son gathered together all he had and traveled to a distant country, where he squandered his estate in foolish living. After he had spent everything, a severe famine struck that country, and he had nothing. Then he went to work for one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. He longed to eat his fill from the carob pods the pigs were eating, but no one would give him any. When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired hands have more than enough food, and here I am dying of hunger! I’ll get up, go to my father, and say to him, Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight. I’m no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired hands.’ So he got up and went to his father. But while the son was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion. He ran, threw his arms around his neck, and kissed him. The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight. I’m no longer worthy to be called your son.’ “But the father told his slaves, ‘Quick! Bring out the best robe and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Then bring the fattened calf and slaughter it, and let’s celebrate with a feast, because this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!’ So they began to celebrate.

Examples of people returning to God

Israelites:

;

David; the people of Nineveh