- For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign Lord. Repent and live! Ezekiel 18:32
- Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy. Proverbs 28:13
- Produce fruit in keeping with repentance… Matthew 3:8-10
- Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out… Acts 3:19
- Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. Revelation 3:19
According to renowned theologian John Calvin (1509 -
1564) repentance is “not merely the start of the Christian life (but) it is
the Christian life.” Believers must grow and mature to a place of joy-giving
habit of repentance.
The Bible talks about two types of repentance: a worldly sorrow,
which is a check-the-box guilt-relieving kind offered up with an off-handed, “I’m
sorry. Forgive me, but if you/he/she/they...”; and a deeply-felt regret of the spirit
kind which acknowledges, names and takes full responsibility for wrong-doing. Only the latter pleases GOD as it results in a true
heart-change.
For the kind of sorrow GOD wants us to experience leads us
away from sin and results in salvation. There’s no regret for that kind of
sorrow. But worldly sorrow, which lacks repentance, results in spiritual death.
2 Corinthians 7:10
John Bunyan (1628 - 1688), Christian Author/Preacher
writes, “The difference between true and false repentance lies in
this: the man who truly repents cries out against his heart; but the other, as
Eve, against the serpent, or something else.”
True repentance has several parts to it.
The best-known Bible model for Christian repentance is King
David’s Psalm 51. David shows us what GOD needs form every truly repentant
person:
Name and describe your sin Psalm 51:1-3
David does not hold back on admitting that he’s a wicked
sinner who is guilty, corrupt, and evil in GOD’s sight. He describes his
“iniquity” (immoral behavior,) “transgressions” (rebellion against GOD,) and “sin
(all acts contrary to GOD’s law),” each term appropriately defining the wrongs David
committed. David committed adultery that produced a child and murdered the
woman’s husband to cover it all up (2
Samuel 11)
Appeal to GOD’s mercy Psalm 51:1
David’s first petition was for mercy. He appeals to the character
of the GOD he has past experience with – One ready to show “compassion” and
“lovingkindness” to His chosen people. We too have access to these same attributes
of GOD through Christ JESUS. “…since we have a great high priest who has
ascended into heaven, JESUS the Son of GOD,…Let us then approach GOD’s
throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to
help us in our time of need. Hebrews 4:14-16
Own your stuff without excuses. Psalm 51:4
Sin has a ripple effect. Just like David’s, our sin affects
multiple lives and just like David we must know that our greatest offense is
against GOD Himself (Against You, You only, have I sinned and done what is
evil in Your sight…) All sin is contrary to GOD’s law and though we seek
forgiveness from the person/s we offend ultimately, we are nowhere without our
Father’s direct forgiveness.
Invite JESUS in. Psalm 51:7
True repentance is never
alone in the heart of any person. It always has a companion—a blessed
companion. It is always accompanied by lively faith in our LORD and Savior JESUS
CHRIST. Evangelical Anglican
Bishop J. C. Ryle (1816 – 1900.) David asks GOD to “cleanse me with hyssop,
and I shall be clean,” a reference to the Old Testament covenant blood
sacrifice (Exodus 24:8.) We have been given a new covenant
cleansing through JESUS’ blood (Hebrews 9:11-22) and we put our faith in its power to work
on our behalf.
Allow GOD to heal your brokenness. Psalm 51:8
Be broken before GOD but do not remain in that state. JOY
and PEACE are what GOD promised His people in CHRIST. David’s pain from sin is described
as a physical ache – his very “bones have been crushed.” But he asks GOD to heal
him and restore their relationship to a place of “joy and gladness,” the place
where the children of GOD rightly live.
Yield to the Holy Spirit Psalm 51:10-12
Someone said to me recently with tears, “I feel like I’ve
disappointed GOD.” You can only feel like this if the Holy Spirit is working in
you and you respond in grief, aware that you’ve done what GOD hates. David
recognizes the value of the Holy Spirit in bringing him to a brokenness over sin
and does not want to lose that, “Do not…take your Holy Spirit from me.”
Listening to GOD’s Spirit will both save you from yourself and give you peace.
End with Worship, commit to a testimony. Psalm 51:13-15
David completes his
repentance appeal with joyous praise “Open my lips, Lord, and my mouth will
declare your praise” and a vow to share GOD’s goodness to encourage others to
repentance and restoration, “I will teach transgressors your ways, so that
sinners will turn back to you.” We too must share our testimony of GOD’s restoring
mercy. It’s the gospel, GOD’s grace and goodness, that brings people to
repentance, leading to salvation (Romans 2:4.)
Conclusion
Sin is a heavy
burden for any child of GOD to carry, if for no other reason than it robs us of
intimacy with our Father. But that relationship is restored easily by returning
to Him with a broken and contrite heart.
King David threw
himself on the mercy of his GOD with genuine appeals for forgiveness, a renewed
heart and a joyful spirit.
That same GOD is also
our Father, compassionate and merciful. He will forgive us too from the bondage
of sin unto obedience that frees us to enjoy Him fully again.
Prayer and
Thanksgiving: Holy GOD and Father, we thank You that Your loving kindness,
mercy and compassion know no measure. We confess all sin of commission and
omission, that we have grieved Your Holy Spirit and we ask you to forgive us
and cleanse us by the blood of Your Son, JESUS Christ. Restore us and make us
to know your joy once again and increase our desire to love and obey You more
so that we sin against You less. Be our Rock and our salvation. To you, Father,
be dominion and power for ever and ever. In JESUS name we ask this. Amen.
Always by God’s Word and prayer,
Cecile
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