…Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance…

Matthew 3:8

The power of Christ in your life is shown through your repentance. This is not a single event that happened at your salvation. No, that was only the beginning. Repentance is a day-by-day, hour-by-hour walk with God where we continually submit our will, our desires, and the places in our hearts where we found we did not submit, under the Lordship of Christ. Yielding to the Holy Spirit and standing against sin.

Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.

James 4:7

Again, the power and authority you have as a Christian flows from the place of submission to God and repentance. When you are careful to walk in step with His will and not your own, the spots and wrinkles in your garment of righteousness that is given to you by the blood of Jesus’ sacrifice, through the vehicle of your repentance, will be cleaned and ironed. The cracks in your spiritual Ephesians 6 armor will be sealed. And you will notice in your life as changes take place, how you grow closer to God and your relationship with Him becomes more vibrant and life-filled.

Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.

Matthew 7:13-14

The narrow gate is the gate of repentance. The difficult way is the way of repentance. The Holy Spirit continually molding you, shaping you, pruning you. You, continually yielding, submitting, renewing your mind, and allowing God to prune you as He leads. This is the life of a Christian truly submitted to God. He is in control of your life instead of you.

But now, O Lord, You are our Father; We are the clay, and You our potter; And all we are the work of Your hand.

Isaiah 64:8