True Repentance

True Repentance
2 Corinthians 7:9-11

A prominent theme in the preaching of the Gospel is the call to repent. Jesus wanted it to be preached in His name to all nations - Lk 24:46-47 “and said to them, "Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.” Peter proclaimed the call to repent in his first two sermons - Ac 2:36-38 “Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified." Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?" And Peter said to them, "Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”; 3:19 “Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out,”. Paul spoke of repentance to philosophers and kings - Ac 17:30-31 “The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead."; 26:19-20 "Therefore, O King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, but declared first to those in Damascus, then in Jerusalem and throughout all the region of Judea, and also to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds in keeping with their repentance.”

However, the call to repentance is often neglected in modern day preaching, by some who preach “faith only” and by some who in reaction stress “baptism”. One cannot truly preach the gospel of Christ without the call to repent; and yet. What is repentance? How is it produced? What are some indications that repentance has occurred? Perhaps the most elaborate discussion on repentance is found in 2 Co 7:9-11, which serves as the text for this lesson entitled “True Repentance”.

Let’s begin by defining “True Repentance”. First, let’s look at some misconceptions of repentance. One such misconception is that repentance is “sorrow”. 2 Co 7:9-10 (“As it is, I rejoice, not because you were grieved, but because you were grieved into repenting. For you felt a godly grief, so that you suffered no loss through us. For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death.”) shows that repentance is an outcome of sorrow. Sorrow leads to repentance; sorrow itself is not repentance. Another misconception is that repentance is “a changed life”. Some understand that repentance is a converted life, but Ac 3:19 (see above) shows that repentance and conversion are two separate things. Peter says “Repent therefore and be converted”. If repentance is the same as conversion, then Peter is being redundant. As we shall see, the order is actually this:
1) First, sorrow.
2) Then, repentance.
3) Finally, a changed life.

W. E. Vine’s definition of a proper repentance is a “change of mind”; “involves both a turning from sin and a turning to God”. So think of repentance as simply “a change of mind” in which we decide to “turn from sin and turn to God”, which is preceded by sorrow and is followed by a changed life. Repentance is therefore a decision of the mind in which one decides to change their life; but what prompts one to make such decision?

In order to produce true repentance it is preceded by “godly sorrow”. This we glean from our text (2 Co 7:9-10); but note carefully that it is not simply “sorrow”, but sorrow that is “godly”. For there is a sorrow that is “of the world”. Note the difference between “godly sorrow” and “worldly sorrow”. “Worldly sorrow” is a selfish kind of sorrow. For example, when one is sorry because they got caught, or when one is sorry because what someone did made them look bad. In “worldly sorrow”, one is more concerned about SELF! “Godly sorrow” is sorrow directed toward God (“godly” is lit. “according to God”). In other words, one is sorry because their actions are sins against a Holy God - Psa 51:4 “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.” Also, one is sorry for the price GOD must pay to have our sins removed. In “godly sorrow”, one is more concerned with GOD than self! “Worldly sorrow” produces regret; “godly sorrow” suffers loss in nothing. “Worldly sorrow” produces death; “godly sorrow” produces repentance to salvation.

If “godly sorrow” leads to repentance, how is it best to produce this “godly sorrow” in others? Let’s look at some examples of producing “godly sorrow” that lead to repentance. In Nathan’s rebuke to David in 2 Sam 12:7-12 provides some insight. He made an appeal to God’s love (7-8) “Nathan said to David, "You are the man! Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, 'I anointed you king over Israel, and I delivered you out of the hand of Saul. And I gave you your master's house and your master's wives into your arms and gave you the house of Israel and of Judah. And if this were too little, I would add to you as much more.” He revealed the sin (9) “Why have you despised the word of the LORD, to do what is evil in his sight? You have struck down Uriah the Hittite with the sword and have taken his wife to be your wife and have killed him with the sword of the Ammonites.” He warned of the consequences (10-12) “Now therefore the sword shall never depart from your house, because you have despised me and have taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your wife.' Thus says the LORD, 'Behold, I will raise up evil against you out of your own house. And I will take your wives before your eyes and give them to your neighbor, and he shall lie with your wives in the sight of this sun. For you did it secretly, but I will do this thing before all Israel and before the sun.'"

The Gospel of Christ, when properly taught, is designed to so produce “godly sorrow”, and in turn, repentance. It appeals to God’s love as a basis for repentance - Ro 2:4 “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?” It reveals our sin - Ro 3:23 “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,”. It warns of the consequences - Ro 2:5-11. Our best hope for producing repentance in others that leads to salvation is to proclaim the gospel in its entirety. Not just the “commands” (believe, repent, be baptized). Nor just the “promises” (remission of sins, eternal life, gift of the Holy Spirit). But also the “facts” (man’s sin, God’s love, the coming judgment) If people are not responding to the “commands” of the gospel, perhaps we need to consider whether we are providing proper emphasis to the “facts” of the gospel.

Finally, consider the indications of “True Repentance”. Our text (2 Co 7:11) mentions several. “diligence” (KJV, carefulness). This can be defined as “earnestness, zeal, sometimes with haste accompanying it”. In other words, being quick to do what is right! Examples of conversion in ACTS demonstrate this diligence in that every case described in detail shows people obeying the gospel after just one lesson! “clearing of yourselves”. To clear one’s self of blame, quick to stop doing what is wrong, if such is the case, quick to respond to the offer of forgiveness when one realizes their guilt. “indignation”. This involves a sort of anger, or moral outrage, toward the SIN which required the repentance. “fear”. Lest the sin should be repeated. Lest the sin should not be entirely removed. “vehement desire”. A fervent wish. Especially to be right in God’s eyes. “zeal”. This involves an “eagerness and ardent interest in pursuit of something”. In this case, to turn from sin and turn to God. “vindication” (KJV, revenge). As the NIV puts it, “what readiness to see justice done”, to do the right thing!

Such are the “signs” of true repentance. Not apathy, not halfhearted service. But, a desire to do “works befitting repentance” - Ac 26:20 “but declared first to those in Damascus, then in Jerusalem and throughout all the region of Judea, and also to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds in keeping with their repentance.” Is this indicative of our repentance? Can we look at our lives and see signs that we have really had “a change of mind”. That we have truly made “a decision to turn from sin and to turn to God”? If we have not yet obeyed the gospel ...we have not repented! If we have become slack in our service...we are in need of repentance! If so, then we are in need of a healthy dose of “godly sorrow”, brought about by realizing God’s love for us, the fact we have all sinned and the consequences if we do not repent!

May the love of God and the reality of the coming judgment move us all to “True Repentance”! The blessings for those who do repent are wonderful... - Ac 2:38-39 “And Peter said to them, "Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself." ; 3:19 “Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out,”

If you need assistance in obeying the gospel or wish to further discuss this matter please contact me at jimnewy@classicnet.net

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