Genuine repentance

Today’s devotional is about Peter’s denial of Jesus and how he was restored by grace. Reference is also made to David’s confession of his sin with Bathsheba. Reading both passages is another reminder that I am a sinful creature and God is a forgiving God. Salvation is always by grace yet my confession of sin is an important element in restoration.

Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. And a servant girl came up to him and said, “You also were with Jesus the Galilean.” But he denied it before them all, saying, “I do not know what you mean.” And when he went out to the entrance, another servant girl saw him, and she said to the bystanders, “This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.” And again he denied it with an oath: “I do not know the man.” After a little while the bystanders came up and said to Peter, “Certainly you too are one of them, for your accent betrays you.” Then he began to invoke a curse on himself and to swear, “I do not know the man.” And immediately the rooster crowed. And Peter remembered the saying of Jesus, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly. (Matthew 26:69-75)

Peter denied Jesus three times. This seems awful, yet I remember repeating the same sin(s) many times. I can also remember weeping bitterly. But that is only the beginning of genuine repentance.

The Bible does not say David wept, but it would not surprise me. He did pray this most remarkable confession, one that has helped me understand that confession is far more than a simple ‘I’m sorry’ and going on from there. David began his prayer this way:

“Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin! For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment.”

David knew that the only reason God forgives is His abundant mercy and enduring love. Mercy is receiving a blessing I don’t deserve. Love withholds the punishment which I do deserve. David also knew that his sin was against God and agreed with God that it was evil. He acknowledged that God was correct in evaluating what he had done.

“Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me. Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart.”

David also acknowledged that he was born a sinful creature. He made no excuses; he sinned because he was a sinner. He also knew that God was more concerned that he was truthful about himself than he was perfect. In our minds, God wants good behavior so we try harder, but David knew God is more interested in truth.

The next part of his confession is his plea that God cleanses his sin and fills him again with His spirit:

“Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that you have broken rejoice. Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.”

David knew where his goodness came from. If he did anything right, it was because of God and not his own doing. Only sin stopped him from being joyful and willing to serve God, and that joy and that willing heart came from God also. David was helpless and he knew it.  

“Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will return to you. Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, O God of my salvation, and my tongue will sing aloud of your righteousness. O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise. For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it; you will not be pleased with a burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.” (Psalm 51:1-17)

David also knew what happens after repentance. God’s people are eager to share their faith, free from guilt and filled with praise, yet with a contrite attitude that gives pleasure to the Lord.

^^^^^^^^

Jesus, I’m so thankful that You gave these two stories of sinners who repented and were forgiven and restored. I’m also thankful that they expressed what it means to be truly sorrowful for sin, giving me assurance that when I do the same, I know how You want me to feel and what You want me to say and do. Thank you also for Your great mercy on me, a sinner who loves You.

True Repentance

Some suppose that repentance is merely being sorry for sin, however the Bible describes it as much more. The person who genuinely repents has a grief for sin that produces changes in their lives, even innocence . . .

“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. So although I wrote to you, it was not for the sake of the one who did the wrong, nor for the sake of the one who suffered the wrong, but in order that your earnestness for us might be revealed to you in the sight of God. Therefore we are comforted . . . .” (2 Corinthians 7:10–13)

Paul had written to the Corinthians about sin in their midst. The above passage shows that these Christians were not only sorry for what they had done, but were filled with a desire to make it right. They were horrified at their transgression, fearful of its ramifications, full of a desire that it be rectified. And by this response to God’s conviction of sin in their lives, they proved themselves ‘innocent’ in this matter. The only way that can happen is their godly grief for sin resulted in God’s forgiveness and cleansing.

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)

Paul was comforted by their response to his admonition for sin. Keep in mind that these verses are not about initial salvation, although they apply in that case also. Jesus said that the Holy Spirit would convict the world of sin because it is essential to forgiveness and salvation. In fact, it is evidence of God at work. The person being saved by grace will also repent because of God’s grace.

Repentance is important. Chambers writes that it is the bedrock of Christianity. He says that no one can repent anytime we choose because repentance is a gift of God.

God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. (Acts 5:31)

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)

Or do you presume 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)

Chambers also says conviction of sin is one of the rarest things. I agree. It is more likely that sin makes me feel sorry because I am disgusted with myself. I ask questions, like “How could I ever do that?” as if I could conquer sin all by myself.

Chambers adds that the surest sign that God is at work is when a person can say they have sinned against God and mean it, like David did . . . .

“For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment.” (Psalm 51:3–4)

Chambers also writes, “New life manifests itself in conscious repentance and unconscious holiness, never the other way around.” It is a gift from God and produces results, not just bitter sorrow that moans “how could I be so stupid” — but a changed life. This signifies that whenever I ‘repent’ but keep on with the same sin, I need to examine my heart to make sure God has granted me true repentance.