Repentance

A recent topic at our church has been the ordo salutis, or the Order of Salvation. I had the privilege of speaking on faith and repentance (a recent post here), particularly as it relates to regeneration (i.e. “being born again). In accordance with Scripture, regeneration precedes both faith and repentance. These are gifts granted to the sinner so that he might exercise faith and repentance. With reference to repentance we read:

Acts 5:31
He is the one whom God exalted to His right hand as a Prince and a Savior, to grant repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.

2 Timothy 2:25
with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth,

The topic of repentance has become even more meaningful as of late in our church. What are the fruits of repentance? How is repentance manifested in the life of the truly regenerate? What do you do with a “member” who consistently fails to manifest genuine fruits of repentance; who puts up a façade of righteousness while secretly living in total rebellion to God and His word, even while such a person is being held “accountable” by leaders in the church?

What a dangerous condition to find oneself in. I wonder how often I might manifest such an attitude? Again I pray, “Lord, keep your servant from presumptuous sins” (Psalm 19:13). I came across this exhortation by William Plumer in his work, "Vital Godliness: A Treatise on Experimental and Practical Piety," 1864. They don’t come up with titles like that anymore.

Anyway, here are some ways in which a person may know that he is practicing (or not practicing) genuine repentance. Let us all examine our hearts, confess our sins and walk in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ (Philippians 1:27).

Godly men weep

"And he went out and wept bitterly." Matthew 26:75

We cannot have too low an opinion of ourselves; or too high an opinion of Christ.

Godly men weep over the evils which are found in themselves, such as . . .

error,

ignorance,

prejudice,

pride,

self-righteousness,

worldliness,

levity,

unloving tempers and dispositions,

censoriousness,

envy,

sinful anger,

hatred,

a proneness . . .

to remember wrongs,

to indulge complaints,

to forget mercies.

There is no plague like the plague of an evil heart!

There is no misery like the wretchedness of 'conscious vileness'.

There are no sighs so long and so deep-drawn as those caused by indwelling sin.

Though the righteous shall not weep always, yet they may weep
bitterly.

"Wretched man that I am!" Romans 7:24

"Behold, I am vile!" Job 40:4

"Therefore, I abhor myself!" Job 42:6 (NKJV)

"Woe is me! For I am undone!" Isaiah 6:5

"Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!" Luke 5:8

Soli Deo Gloria,

Pastor Ed

Added Thought: A.W. Pink wrote:

True conversion is . . . a tearing down of every idol, a renouncing of the empty vanities of a cheating world, taking God for our portion, our ruler, our all in all.