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  A FLOWER WHICH DOES NOT GROW IN NATURE'S GARDEN!
  by Thomas Brooks
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Summary: Repentance is a gift from God that comes down from above, and
it is not possible for humans to achieve on their own.

Topics: "Repentance", "Divine Grace"
Scripture References: Jeremiah 13:23, Ephesians 2:8, 2 Timothy 2:25

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Thomas Brooks emphasizes the profound nature of repentance, illustrating
it as a divine gift that cannot be achieved by human effort alone. He
likens the difficulty of turning one's heart to God to the impossibility
of transforming adamant into flesh or raising the dead, underscoring
that true repentance is not found in nature's garden. Brooks highlights
that it is only through God's grace that individuals can experience
genuine repentance and turn away from their sins. He reminds us that
just as the Ethiopian cannot change his skin, we cannot do good without
divine intervention.

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CONTENT
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"Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the

hope that God will grant them repentance leading

them to a knowledge of the truth." 2 Timothy 2:25

Repentance is a turning from sin (the most darling sin)

to God. It is mighty work, a difficult work; a work which

is above our power. There is no power below that power

which raised Christ from the dead, and which made the

world--which can break the heart of a sinner, or turn

the heart of a sinner!

You are as well able to melt adamant--as to melt your

own heart! You are as well able to turn a flint into flesh

--as to turn your own heart to the Lord! You are as well

able to raise the dead and to make a world--as to repent!

Repentance is a flower which does not grow in

nature's garden!

"Can the Ethiopian change his skin or the leopard its

spots? Neither can you do good, who are accustomed

to doing evil." Jeremiah 13:23

Repentance is a gift that comes down from above.

Men are not born with repentance in their hearts, as

they are born with tongues in their mouths! It is not

in the power of any mortal to repent at pleasure.

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/thomas-brooks/a-flower-which-does-not-grow-in-natures-garden/
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