The OT describes repentance as changing one’s course of action. The NT suggests a change of mind, specifically to turn from sin and put faith in Jesus Christ. However, the definition is further clarified by what follows godly repentance. The contrast is a mere emotional regret that does not produce anything much more than sorrow that I got caught and further separation from God.
For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death. For see what earnestness this godly grief has produced in you, but also what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what longing, what zeal, what punishment! At every point you have proved yourselves innocent in the matter. (2 Corinthians 7:10–11)Today’s devotional says that all temporary repentance is false repentance and quotes a verse that indicates true repentance is not humanly produced but is a gift from God:
When they heard these things they fell silent. And they glorified God, saying, “Then to the Gentiles also God has granted repentance that leads to life.” (Acts 11:18)Another verse adds that I should never take for granted God’s forgiveness for my sin, because that would be presuming “on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance.” (Romans 2:4) In other words, when He kindly forgives, He also intends that I should change my ways and turn from the sin that He forgave.
A few weeks ago, I confessed a bad attitude and action to a few of my Christian friends. One of them made a remark that I’d likely do it again. She was describing false repentance without realizing that was not why I’d confessed the sin, nor was it the result. God cleansed that attitude and action — and it has not plagued me since God also granted a change of heart.
Another passage describes the will of God concerning how I’m to live:
Each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God; that no one transgress and wrong his brother in this matter, because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as we told you beforehand and solemnly warned you. For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness. Therefore whoever disregards this, disregards not man but God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you. Now concerning brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another, for that indeed is what you are doing to all the brothers throughout Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers, to do this more and more, (1 Thessalonians 4:4–10)The Holy Spirit does this, just as Jesus said in John 16:8-14 and just as 1 Thessalonians 1:9 describes one result of genuine repentance. Other verses say that when my “turn from sin” is a true desire, it will result in a deeper commitment to Christ that continues. If the sin returns, this indicates to me that I’d not fully recognized it or not confessed the root of it. That is, it is possible to confess only the actions and retain the selfish attitude that produced them. Once the Spirit gets me to the bottom of what I am guilty of and I see it and agree with Him, He sets me free of it and grants perseverance to move forward in seeking and trusting Christ.
PRAY: Jesus, it is good to be reminded not to take lightly the need of confession and repentance. You have made 1 John 1:9 a strong life-changing verse in my life. I’m so grateful for the gift and the power of repentance.
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