Ezra 10:10, 14 And now, O our God, what shall we say after this? For we have forsaken thy commandments….Should we again break thy commandments, and join in affinity with the people of these abominations?
After leading Israel back to Jerusalem from captivity, Ezra led the people in confession and repentance. The returnees had been intermarrying with the pagan people of the land and now had to stop this practice.
They had sinned against the Ten Commandments of God, especially the First, by taking unbelieving wives. Foreign wives would lead the people of God into idolatry and unbelief. They must put away the world and its temptations to lead them away from God. Ezra had led them not only back to the Land, but also back to the Lord. Now break every affinity with the world that is opposed to God.
Confession and repentance is the necessary means to putting away worldly ways and come back to pure faith in the One True God. Daily contrition is also necessary for us NT believers, for the devil, the world, and our flesh are ever present to tempt us away from joyous faith in Christ.
Repentance includes the faith in Jesus that receives forgiveness and the new life of the Spirit. It involves putting away affinities with the world. The Word of Gospel and the Spirit of Life actually is the power that actually does just that. It changes lives. And since we fail and fall back often, we need to repent often. When we return to God daily He receives and welcomes us again and again.