The Heart of the Parent

Introduction:

There is a biblical truth that partners with trust (“faith”). It is the truth of “repentance.”

While it is the case that we are often good at identifying lapses in our faith, we are often overlooking a truth that is of equal importance: repentance.

Sin is the best news there is, because with sin, there’s a way out. You can’t repent of confusion or psychological flaws inflicted by your parents—you’re stuck with them. But you can repent of sin. Sin and repentance are the only grounds for hope and joy, the grounds for reconciled, joyful relationships.

—John Alexander, The Other Side, quoted in Leadership (Summer 2000)

Psalms has “penitential” songs or song of repentance that are instructive in helping us to understand what is repentance? How does repentance work? Why do we need repentance?

Aim:

A parent who desires to have children who are mourning their sin must have hearts of repentance.

Points:

(1) True repentance means turning to the LORD and his righteous perspective of our sinfulness ()

His perspective is rooted in his nature - “steadfast love”

Legal perspective of God - the Law reveals his holiness

Two Kinds of Repentance

Two kinds of repentance are possible in human experience. One is ‘the sorrow of the world,” a feeling induced by the fear of getting caught. Many people recognize the unpleasant consequences of their sin and are persuaded that they are guilty. This results in a superficial sorrow that may lead to a temporary reformation but not to a genuine turning to Christ for forgiveness. Godly sorrow, on the other hand, is accompanied by conviction of sin, the work of the Holy Spirit (see Acts 2:37). This stems from the realization of offending a holy God. It leads to genuine repentance.

An unknown author wrote, “There is a radical distinction between natural regret and God-given repentance. The flesh can feel remorse, acknowledge its evil deeds, and be ashamed of itself. However, this sort of disgust with past actions can be quickly shrugged off, and the individual can soon go back to his old wicked ways. None of the marks of true repentance described in 2 Corinthians 7:11 are found in his behavior. Out of a list of 10 men in the Bible who said, “I have sinned,” we believe only five actually repented. They were David (2 Sam. 12:13), Nehemiah (Neh. 1:6), Job (Job 42:5, 6), Micah (Micah 7:9), and the prodigal son (Luke 15:18).” - H.G.B.

Our Daily Bread, Monday, July 16

Transgressions/Iniquity/Sin/Evil are all terms that are consequent of seeing the LORD for Who He is.

We mustn’t settle for admitting mere mistakes.

4983 Give God Your Sins

A hermit once, having renounced the world and lost all things, yet found no peace. It seemed to him in his lonely cell that the Lord was asking something more.

“But I have given you everything!” cried the hermit.

“All but one thing,” answered the Lord.

“What is it, Lord?”

“Your sins.”

We mustn't' see this as merely an activity that we do.

(2) True repentance means turning to the LORD and seeking what He alone can accomplish in the heart ()

David is completely dependent on the activity of God in his own heart

It is the Holy Spirit who brings about this restoration of joy.

This means that we need rules/standards/morals but our faith is in the Lord and not in the externals. There is no lasting joy in self-dependence.

(3) True repentance means turning to the LORD resulting in declarations/conversations that seek the health of the community ()

David understood that there is an evidence out working of God’s heart work.

The personal work of repentance led to a dependence upon the LORD for the corporate work.

Personal repentance has direct impact upon your family and those around you.

Application:

(1) Jesus Christ has uniquely answered this petition of David.

Jesus Christ is the offspring of David - the covenant fulfillment.

Jesus Christ is the manifestation of the “steadfast love of God”

Jesus Christ is the express image of the invisible God.

Jesus Christ is the virgin born - not conceived in sin.

Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of all that the blood/hyssop/cleansing pointed to.

Jesus is the sinless One who fulfilled perfectly the demands of God, yet He suffered as a substitution.

Jesus is the Creator made manifest.

Jesus Christ is the One who was completely and perfectly anointed by the Holy Spirit.

…etc

Summary: Christ-centered parenting is not possible without Jesus Christ.

(2) Travel from God to the gospel daily in the scriptures.

Set the GPS from the “character” of God to the “cleansing” in Christ as you read.

Look for the law that reveals exceeding sinfulness and get to the love of God demonstrated in Christ.

See the right judgement of God and get to the rich justification in Christ as you read.

(3) Expose “family codes” that undermine the work of Christ.

is very helpful here.

Exercise [“Gospel-Centered Parent, by Miller, Harrell, Klumpenhower, p. 25]

Identifying codes that I may have:

The chief behavior rules (religious or non) of the family I grew up in were…

___________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________

If I were to ask my children, “What do I most want from you behavior-wise?” they might say I want them to: __________________________________________________________________

It drives me crazy when my kids: __________________________________________________________________

What might be the family code you are instilling in your kids? using the clues above, what behaviors might you be trying to instill in your children above confession of sin and faith in Jesus?

The family code I’m instilling in my children is:

_______________________________________________________________________

If Jesus is not for people who think they are good; but He’s for people who admit their sin, receive forgiveness in him, and repent then how is this truth going to change the way you interact with your children?

My interactions with my children would involve less: ___________________________________________________________

My interactions with my children would include more:

___________________________________________________________

Repent:

Parents who find joy in being forgiven in Jesus become (1) humble enough to ask questions, (2) willing to admit sin, and (3) eager to share what Jesus has done for them. Interact with your children:

Ask questions. See above.

Confess. Confess the code itself. Ask their forgiveness.

Tell. How you and they are/can be forgiven in Jesus.

(4) Have conversations where you are honest about your daily need for repentance.

(5) Pray that God will grant necessary repentance in you and in your children.

Conclusion:

Christ-centered parents are parents who repent and believe as a way of life. This is the heart the Christian parent must have as they parent.