Doctrine of the Day (DotD) - Repentance

Going back to the Edward's resolution from today, we read about repentance. So let's explore the idea of repentance some more.

According to J.I. Packer in Concise Theology "The New Testament word for repentance means changing one's mind so that one's views, values, goals and ways are changed and one'who life is differently. The change is radical, both inwardly and outwardly; mind and judgement, will and affections, behavior and life-style, motives and purposes, are all involved. Repenting means starting to live a new life."

And from the Westminster Confession of Faith:



Of Repentance unto Life 

1. Repentance unto life is an evangelical grace,[1] the doctrine whereof is to be preached by every minister of the Gospel, as well as that of faith in Christ.[2]. 

In simple English (ISE), the doctrine of repentance is a gift of grace from God and should be preached by every pastor, not just how to get saved.   

2. By it, a sinner, out of the sight and sense not only of the danger, but also of the filthiness and odiousness of his sins, as contrary to the holy nature, and righteous law of God; and upon the apprehension of His mercy in Christ to such as are penitent, so grieves for, and hates his sins, as to turn from them all unto God,[3] purposing and endeavouring to walk with Him in all the ways of His commandments.[4] 

ISE – Sinners don't see the dangers of sin, how or how offensive it is to God. They do not see how it sin is radically different from God's law or their new nature. Repentance includes penitence (sorry for what is done, not merely sorry that the sin has been discovered.), grief (an awareness of God and how offended He is by the act, thought, deed, feeling, attitude, or life-style), a desire to turn away from the sin and finally actively moving in the opposite direction. 

3. Although repentance is not to be rested in, as any satisfaction for sin, or any cause of the pardon thereof,[5] which is the act of God's free grace in Christ,[6] yet it is of such necessity to all sinners, that none may expect pardon without it.[7] 

ISE – repentance doesn't remove the sin, only the grace of God, through Christ's blood can do that, but it is necessary for a believer to be pardoned from sin. Praise God that the power to repent is from God as much as any other gift of grace.

4. As there is no sin so small, but it deserves damnation;[8] so there is no sin so great, that it can bring damnation upon those who truly repent.[9]

ISE – ALL sins deserve hell, (there is no distinction in the ultimate outcome of "big" sins or "little" sins. On there is no sin so big, God will say "Forget you, give me someone different to save."

5. Men ought not to content themselves with a general repentance, but it is every man's duty to endeavor to repent of his particular sins, particularly.[10]

 

ISE – We need to repent of specific sins, not of being sinful in general.

6. As every man is bound to make private confession of his sins to God, praying for the pardon thereof;[11] upon which, and the forsaking of them, he shall find mercy;[12] so he that scandelizeth his brother, or the Church of Christ, ought to be willing, by a private or public confession and sorrow for his sin, to declare his repentance to those that are offended;[13] who are thereupon to be reconciled to him, and in love to receive him.[14]

ISE -  We confess our sins to God, not to a priest. We will find mercy from God. When we receive forgiveness from God we confess our sins to the person or people we have offended and ask for their forgiveness and seek to be reconciled.