Repentance's Reward

Repentance Recognizes Need For God

Psalm 51:17 NKJV

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, A broken and a contrite heart— These, O God, You will not despise.

A broken spirit expresses our need for God

It is dependent upon God’s mercy. It doesn’t want justice but mercy.

A repentant heart follows God.

God Rewards The Repentant

Isaiah 66:2 NIV

Has not my hand made all these things, and so they came into being?” declares the Lord. “These are the ones I look on with favor: those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and who tremble at my word.

He looks upon them with favor.

God gives grace to the humble.

He lessens the impact of the consequences when there is true repentance.

Repentance Is Not To Be Regretted

2 Corinthians 7:8–9 NKJV

For even if I made you sorry with my letter, I do not regret it; though I did regret it. For I perceive that the same epistle made you sorry, though only for a while. Now I rejoice, not that you were made sorry, but that your sorrow led to repentance. For you were made sorry in a godly manner, that you might suffer loss from us in nothing.

Paul didn’t regret the results.

He didnt want anyone to feel bad.

ONLY TWO WAYS PEOPLE CHANGE learn enough, grow enough or hurt enough.

Repentance Fuels Regeneration

2 Corinthians 7:10–11 KJV 1900

For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death. For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter.

Growth requires change. Change requires instruction. Instruction requires humility.

what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, “anxious care”

what clearing of yourselves, yea,“answer”

what indignation, yea,“righteous anger”

what fear, yea, “Fear, awe, and reverence for God and the results of sin”

what vehement desire, yea, “Love for right and good”

what zeal, yea, “Fierce commitment to do what is right”

what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter.

a. The way to resist the devil is to submit to God

b. Our greatest weapon against satan is our humility and holy lifestyle.