The Wayfarer #4

REPENTANCE

A NEW DIRECTION

Driving a car in the wrong direction on a one-way street is foolish and dangerous. Some drive the wrong way out of ignorance; others out of rebellion.

There’s a spiritual parallel.

Whether out of ignorance or rebellion, we’re all on a dangerous one-way street that will ultimately lead to eternal separation from God.

Until we turn around (repent) and begin following Christ, every step we take is a step in the wrong direction — a step away from God. ()

Acts 2:38 ESV

38 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.

Repentance, Sorrow, and Fruit

Paul contrasts godly grief with worldly grief.

A NEW DIRECTION (PART 2) Repentance, Sorrow, and Fruit

Repentance, Sorrow, and Fruit

The first produces a repentance that leads to salvation and brings no regret, the second produces death. The difference between godly grief and worldly grief is that the first issues in repentance while the second ends with remorse. Godly grief which issues in repentance (i.e. a change of mind and heart and a willingness to change behaviour) when coupled with faith in God leads to salvation.

@book{Kruse_1987, place={Downers Grove, IL}, series={Tyndale New Testament Commentaries}, title={2 Corinthians: an introduction and commentary}, volume={8}, publisher={InterVarsity Press}, author={Kruse, Colin G.}, year={1987}, pages={142}, collection={Tyndale New Testament Commentaries}}

Real repentance begins when we are truly sorry for our sins.

Real repentance begins when we are truly sorry for our sins. This “godly sorrow” makes no excuses, takes full responsibility, and never places blame on people, society, or circumstances. It acknowledges that our sin is primarily against God. Godly sorrow produces true repentance and a changed life. (; )

This “godly sorrow” makes no excuses, takes full responsibility, and never places blame on people, society, or circumstances.

It acknowledges that our sin is primarily against God.

2 Corinthians: An Introduction and Commentary m. Paul’s Joy after a Crisis Resolved (7:5–16)

Biblical examples of godly grief can be seen in the cases of David (2 Sam. 12:13; Ps. 51), Peter (Mark 14:72) and Paul himself (Acts 9:1–22),

2 Samuel 12:13 ESV

13 David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.” And Nathan said to David, “The Lord also has put away your sin; you shall not die.

Psalm 51 ESV

To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet went to him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba. 1 Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin! 3 For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. 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. 5 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me. 6 Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart. 7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. 8 Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that you have broken rejoice. 9 Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. 10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. 11 Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. 12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit. 13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will return to you. 14 Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, O God of my salvation, and my tongue will sing aloud of your righteousness. 15 O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise. 16 For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it; you will not be pleased with a burnt offering. 17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. 18 Do good to Zion in your good pleasure; build up the walls of Jerusalem; 19 then will you delight in right sacrifices, in burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings; then bulls will be offered on your altar.

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Mark 14:72 ESV

72 And immediately the rooster crowed a second time. And Peter remembered how Jesus had said to him, “Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.” And he broke down and wept.

Mark 4:17 ESV

17 And they have no root in themselves, but endure for a while; then, when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately they fall away.

Mar 417

Godly sorrow produces true repentance and a changed life. (; )

2 Corinthians 7:10 ESV

10 For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death.

Psalm 32:5 ESV

5 I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,” and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah

On the other hand, “worldly sorrow” only produces excuses.

2 Corinthians: An Introduction and Commentary m. Paul’s Joy after a Crisis Resolved (7:5–16)

while examples of worldly grief are to be found in the cases of Esau (Gen. 27:1–40; Heb. 12:15–17) and Judas (Matt. 27:3–5).

2 Corinthians: An Introduction and Commentary m. Paul’s Joy after a Crisis Resolved (7:5–16)

Biblical examples of godly grief can be seen in the cases of David (2 Sam. 12:13; Ps. 51), Peter (Mark 14:72) and Paul himself (Acts 9:1–22), while examples of worldly grief are to be found in the cases of Esau (Gen. 27:1–40; Heb. 12:15–17) and Judas (Matt. 27:3–5).

2 Corinthians: An Introduction and Commentary m. Paul’s Joy after a Crisis Resolved (7:5–16)

while examples of worldly grief are to be found in the cases of Esau

2 Corinthians: An Introduction and Commentary m. Paul’s Joy after a Crisis Resolved (7:5–16)

(Gen. 27:1–40; Heb. 12:15–17) and Judas (Matt. 27:3–5).

While godly sorrow is having a broken heart when we realize we have offended a holy God, worldly sorrow is being sorry we got caught, or being sorry we have to suffer the consequences of sin.

The ultimate difference between godly sorrow and worldly sorrow is the fruit.

Worldly sorrow never produces the fruit of a changed life; it only produces spiritual death. (; )

Acts 26:20 ESV

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.

Matthew 3:8 ESV

8 Bear fruit in keeping with repentance.

Repentance and Forgiveness

The parable of the prodigal son in is a beautiful picture of true repentance.

The wayward son came to his senses, turned his back on his folly, and returned to his father.

He made a 180 degree turn, walking away from his former life of sin and rebellion.

His father forgave him for his offenses and received him back.

In the same way, our Heavenly Father is faithful to forgive us when we turn to Him and repent of our sins. ()

Luke 15:11–24 ESV

11 And he said, “There was a man who had two sons. 12 And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.’ And he divided his property between them. 13 Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living. 14 And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. 16 And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything. 17 “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.” ’ 20 And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. 21 And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22 But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. 23 And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. 24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate.

Acts 3:19 ESV

19 Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out,

Ever had a stain on your shirt that you couldn’t wash out?

Imagine a stain remover that would not only remove the stain, but would make the shirt just like new again.

That’s what happens when we repent and receive Jesus as our Lord and Savior.

He not only cleans the sin’s stain of guilt and shame from our hearts, He gives us a new heart. ()

1 John 1:9 ESV

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

No Regret

Repentance is turning away from sin and turning to God.

Repentance is turning away from sin and turning to God. It means we stop trusting in our own good deeds and religious activity, and we start trusting in Christ alone. We were going in the wrong direction; now we’re going in the right direction. We were running from God; now we’re walking with Him. Repentance is the starting point of a new life. Repentance takes us off the treadmill of a self-centered life and puts us on the fast track of God’s glorious purpose for our lives. Turning to God means no looking back and no regrets. ()

It means we stop trusting in our own good deeds and religious activity, and we start trusting in Christ alone.

2 Corinthians 7:10 ESV

10 For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death.

We were going in the wrong direction; now we’re going in the right direction.

We were running from God; now we’re walking with Him.

Repentance is the starting point of a new life.

Repentance takes us off the treadmill of a self-centered life and puts us on the fast track of God’s glorious purpose for our lives. Turning to God means no looking back and no regrets. ()

Turning to God means no looking back and no regrets. ()

2 Corinthians 7:10 ESV

10 For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death.

Personal Application

Is your life going in a new direction? Are there sinful areas in your life that are still a struggle? Are there areas of intense temptation or consistent weakness that you need prayer for? Are there sins that you have turned away from, yet you still feel condemned about?

Are there sinful areas in your life that are still a struggle?

Are there areas of intense temptation or consistent weakness that you need prayer for?

Are there sins that you have turned away from, yet you still feel condemned about?