Question 94: What is repentance unto life?

Answer Repentance unto life is a saving grace, by which a sinner, out of a true sense of his sin, and apprehension of the mercy of God in Christ, does, with grief and hatred of his sin, turn from it to God, with full purpose of, and endeavor after, new obedience.

DAY 1:

We have taken opportunity in previous lessons to speak in regards to repentance. As we have recited in this catechism answer, repentance is the result of a sinner having a true sense of his sin and apprehension of the mercy of God in Christ. This is what we referenced in the previous lessons as the new birth. This comes as a result of the working of the Spirit of God when the gospel is preached.

In Acts 2 we see that Peter has addressed the people with the gospel of Jesus Christ and has come to the climax of his message which was that the whole house of Israel was guilty for the murder of the Christ. Verse 37 tells us that Peter’s hearers were cut to the heart as a result of what they heard. The word used here for cut is the word katanusso (kat-an-oos’-so). This word means, “to prick, pierce; metaph. to pain the mind sharply, agitate it vehemently; esp. of the emotion of sorrow.” This is not merely some shedding of tears and a purely emotional experience. Rather this is the result of the ministry of the Holy Spirit. Jesus told us what the Spirit’s ministry would be when He came. In John 16:8 He speaks of the Spirit coming to “convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment.” The term Jesus uses in the passage in John is the word elegcho (el-eg’-kho). This word is translated as convict in the NKJ. It carries the idea of “exposing to the light in order that one may be called to account.” This is exactly what the Spirit did and He used the gospel preached by the apostle Peter to bring about such conviction among his hearers.

This conviction was so deep that the people sought Peter and the rest of the apostles for a remedy for their sins. In essence, they asked what they should do in order that they might escape the judgment of God. Many of these, no doubt, were some mentioned in verse 13 that mocked those who spoke in other tongues. Now they are broken in spirit and quite possibly weeping as they seek answers to their dilemma from the very ones that they were once mocking.

Repentance has at its core a change of mind, which effects the will and emotions. As we have seen before, the term used in Acts 2:38 for repent is metanoeo (met-an-o-eh’-o). This word means, “a change of mind.” The mind must be engaged in the presentation of the gospel. We must not try simply to appeal to the emotions of men, but to their reason. However, that reason must be touched by the power of God through the Holy Spirit. Much of what passes for evangelism is emotional appeals and much of the “worship” that takes place within the walls of the church meeting is “mindless worship” devoid of deep and rich truths that cause men to think. Men attend church for entertainment and to feel good, rather than behold a holy God, a righteous standard, and a perfect Savior. However, the Spirit of God is able to take the Word of God and melt the hearts of sinners and indeed remove the stony heart and replace it with a heart of flesh (Ezek. 36:26 ;2 Cor. 3:3).

Emotions are a part of true repentance as well. While repentance may begin with weeping, there is indeed joy that follows as one begins to understand the forgiveness for his sins. Let me illustrate that emotions can work both ways. For instance, in the passage we saw in Acts 2 the people responded to the message with humility and an eagerness to obey. However, when Stephen confronts the Sanhedrin in Acts 7, verse 54 tells us that they were also cut to the heart. But their response was not a godly response. In fact the passage says that they gnashed at him with their teeth and eventually were so angry with Stephen that they killed him. They obviously did not exude true repentance, but rather remained in their sins and hatred of God and His gospel.

With that in mind, there are also those who seem to receive the gospel with true repentance and full of joy. Jesus spoke of these in Mark 4. In verse 16 He says that some who hear the word of God receive it with joy. However, verse 17 tells us that when affliction or persecution arises because of the word, they are immediately offended. The Greek word here is skandalizo (skan-dal-id’-zo) from where we get our word scandalize. All of the sudden the word becomes a stumbling block rather than the soil which should be where one’s roots derive their nourishment. They then show their true colors. These are those who want something from the gospel, yet are afraid to give. They have not counted the cost of following Christ, which demands repentance. Charles Spurgeon once told a would be convert to come back and speak with him on the following day after he had come to him weeping from the message that he had heard. Spurgeon understood clearly that you could not stop a genuine work of the Spirit, but he also understood that you could help in the deception of seed falling on stony ground.

We now will make mention of the work of repentance on the will. As we made mention of in the previous lesson on faith in Jesus Christ, the will is transformed at conversion. It is changed from being that which hates and rejects God to a will that desires to love God and obey Him. For instance, we saw that picture of the Thessalonians as they turned from idols to serve the living and true God (1 Thess. 1:9). This is done willingly, not against their will. They are those who have had their will changed and thus willingly submit to God and obey His commands. These Thessalonians had seen their sin for what it was and now had a deep desire to turn away from it and to turn to the true God. Their faith was evidenced by the outward expression of repentance, which began internally in the heart and mind.

Is there evidence of true repentance in your life? Has your mind been changed? Your emotions? Your will? Has this resulted in the true fruit of repentance (cf. Luke 3:8)? Are the words of your profession of faith in Christ equal in value to the repentance which is demonstrated in your life? May God grant it to be so to the praise of His glorious grace.

DAY 2:

Today let us look a little bit more at the relationship between emotions and repentance. In 2 Corinthians 7 it seems that we have a good picture of how the emotions are effected by those that hear the truth and what the proper results should be. Remember that 2 Corinthians follows Paul’s first letter and in that first letter the apostle had many things to say to the Corinthians regarding how they conducted themselves as believers. Much of what he said was correction. Paul says in chapter 3:1 that these were not spiritual but carnal, even babes in Christ. Though these should have been mature because of the ministry of the apostle, they were still at this time very immature. This is the church that he gave 18 months of his life (cf. Acts 18:11) to and cared for them greatly and yet they seem to be the ones which broke his heart. So we shall see in the very personal words of Paul to his beloved Corinthian converts that there is necessity for believers to repent and not just with tears.

Remember in 1 Corinthians that Paul had given them a stinging rebuke about their behavior. They were those who separated themselves into different groups under different names (1 Cor. 1:10-17; 3:1-15). This is called sectarianism. They were also rebuked for open sexual immorality in the church and for the lack of church discipline for it (1 Cor. 5). It is possible that chapter six is addressing either law suits against fellow believers that actually took place or that were being set in motion. Paul also gave corrective instruction regarding this. In chapter 7 Paul addresses the issues regarding marriage. It seems that there needed to be some correction in this area of the Corinthians thinking and conduct. We will also note that concern for weaker brothers was a problem (1 Cor. 8), women submitting to their husbands and husbands to the Lord(1 Cor. 11:1-16), the ungodly conduct that was manifest during the observance of the Lord’s Table (1 Cor. 11:17-34), and the abuse of spiritual gift (1 Cor. 12-14).

Thus we have a follow up letter, 2 Corinthians, coming right on the heels of the first letter. In chapter 7 we find that the apostle has heard of their repentance and has been glorying or boasting in them. He knows that what has be wrought in them is a work of God and therefore he is comforted and exceedingly joyful even in tribulation (7:4). When Titus came back from Corinth to deliver word to Paul about them, he came with great consolation and informed him of the people’s earnest desire, mourning, and zeal for Paul. This description helps us to see that the people had genuine repentance. Notice that they had earnest desire. They longed to see Paul. They hated the fact that their sin had become a barrier to the relationship they had with one who loved them so much. They also mourned. It wasn’t just that they knew these things in their mind and were cold against that knowledge. Rather they were those moved to tears because of what had taken place. Finally they had evidently rejected many of the false teachers assertions against Paul and had begun to speak out against them. These people were truly sorry for their sins it seems.

Notice that verse 8 tells us that Paul was not regretful that they were caused to sorrow over the harsh words which he had for them because he knew they were for their good. Though for a brief time it seems Paul did regret sending the letter. Much like many of us we speak things that we know need to be said and sometimes regret saying them, but then we see that there is good fruit that comes from those words and like the apostle Paul, we rejoice. Paul’s rejoicing though was not because he had hurt them or because they were sorrowful, but because their sorrow led to repentance and that is summed up as sorrow in a godly manner. They did not just cry in front of Titus and then as soon as Titus was out of the assembly begin to conduct themselves in a different manner. These were not like so many who hear the truth and tremble before it, even with tears and words of repentance, and yet when the “feeling” is gone, so is their confessed repentance. Paul had no desire to harm these people with his words, but to bring them to the light of the gospel and the truth regarding their sin.

John MacArthur puts it correctly when he makes a comment on verse 10 stating that “True repentance cannot occur apart from such a genuine sorrow over one’s sin (which is produced by the Holy Spirit). The word ‘leading’ is supplied by the translators; Paul was saying that repentance belongs to the realm or sphere of salvation.” He says this kind of repentance is not to be regretted. The word here for regretted is ametameletos (am-et-am-el’-ay-tos). It simply means, “not repentant of, unregretted.” This type of repentance is not to be repented of. There is to be no desire in one’s mind to turn away from godly repentance for some temporal pleasure and fulfillment of the flesh. However, in contrast to what is godly repentance, there is the sorrow of the world. This is that which cries as Esau did after the foolishness that he had exhibited and yet it was without repentance (Heb. 12:17). True God honoring repentance will manifest itself in godly sorrow and actions of equal weight in accordance with that sorrow. Our sorrow must not merely be outwardly, symbolic acts, but genuine fruit of the work of God in our hearts. This is what the prophet Joel spoke of in 2:13. There he commanded to “rend your heart, and not your garments, Return to the Lord your God.” There cannot be the outward working without the inwards conviction and there cannot be the inward conviction without the Holy Spirit.

Finally, notice that Paul was used as a means of bringing repentance to the people of Corinth. He loved them and cared for them (vs. 12). This word “care” is spoude “spoo-day’” and speaks of his careful diligence and promotion of their well being. I think parents can best see this in their relationship with their children. They often have to say things that rebuke their children and administer discipline to them. They don’t do this so that they can harm them, but so that they will indeed be corrected and hopefully benefit in their lives as a result of the correction. I know personally that I have often spoken to my children in regards to this and tell them that Daddy does this in hopes that God would grant them repentance and that they would not face his wrath. I pray you do the same.

Is your repentance genuine or do you feel guilty and pray and then go about as one who has experienced worldly sorrow? Is the fruit of your repentance equal to your professed repentance? How do you accept godly rebuke and correction? How do you give rebuke and correction? Do you rejoice over the expressions of true repentance in your life and in the lives of others? May God be glorified in the expression of repentance in all of our lives. In concluding today, if there are specific sins in your life, then I exhort you in the words of Joel to “rend your heart…. Return to the Lord your God, for He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and He relents from doing harm.”

DAY 3:

Paul reminds us in the sixth chapter of the book of Romans that we were once slaves of sin. However, in verse 18 we are told that we have been set free, therefore there is the idea of repentance. That is we became slaves of righteousness. As we discussed about faith. The nature of repentance is divine. God grants this. We have seen from lessons long ago that God is immutable. He does not change. He does not repent Himself (cf. Num. 23:19). Yet, He is able to grant repentance to those whom He as set His affections upon (2 Tim. 2:25). Therefore, if God brings a man from spiritual death to spiritual life and that which He requires to escape the wrath to come is faith and repentance unto life, then He must be the giver of repentance as well as life and faith.

Let’s take a brief look at the example in Jeremiah. In chapter 31 Jeremiah speaks to us about the hope of Israel. At this time he speaks concerning the slaughter of many children by the Babylonians in their invasion to take the Israelites into the captivity that the Lord had promised. This is spoken of in verse 15, which Matthew also sees as prophetic for his day concerning the murder of all the baby boys 2 and under (cf. Matt. 2:17-18). However, the Lord calls these people to refrain from weeping (vs. 16) because there is hope in their future that their children will return, not from the dead, but into the land again (vs. 17).

Notice in verse 18 that Jeremiah says that God said that He has heard Ephraim bemoaning himself. The term bemoaning is the Hebrew word nuwd (nood). It means, “to move oneself to and fro, sway, totter; to shake oneself; to bemoan oneself.” Here Ephraim has been shaken by what has come upon her and she is in the process of feeling the weight of her sins before God. She admits that she is under the chastening of the Lord. The term chastening speaks not so much of a final judgment as it does of discipline. As her Father, God has lovingly disciplined her for her sins and He is accomplishing His purposes in that discipline. Notice that the discipline is like that given to the untrained bull. The bull or ox would be led into the yoke and because he would be a wild, untrained and ignorant animal, he would have to be disciplined. This discipline of the animal was not to harm the animal, but to train it to submit itself to the yoke and the direction of the master. The same is true of God towards the rebellious Israel. He disciplines her so that she might submit herself to Him and that He might accomplish His purposes in her.

Look at the cry that comes from her lips. In verse 18 we see the prayer offered to God for Him to restore her and she will return. The word used here in the Hebrew for restore and return are the same word. However, their stems are different. The first restore speaks of God doing the action of turning. In other words, the turning is a work of God and of which Israel is not capable. For if she was, then she would not have called upon the Lord to do so for her. But notice that when God acts it becomes effective for they cry, “I will return.”

Verse 19 is almost a picture of what God has done and Israel’s response to His “turning” them. Notice the passage speaks of Him turning them and after their turning, they repented. But this was only after God had indeed turned them. Their repentance was dependent upon the God who grants repentance. The idea then communicated is that of being instructed and being ashamed because of what is revealed about them. The term “instructed” here is yada‘ (yaw-dah’) and is used frequently to describe intimate knowledge, like that between a husband and wife. However, the intimate knowledge is in regards to Israel’s sinfulness. Therefore, their reaction is that of shame which is signified by the “striking themselves on the thigh.” Some commentators believe this can also be understood as “smite upon your breast.” In Ezekiel 21:12 God tells the people of Jerusalem to strike their thigh, because of the terrors which are about to befall them because of their sin. In other words, it should reflect a terrified and yet a remorseful and repentant heart. This is also evidenced by the fact that he was “ashamed, yes, even humiliated.” Israel seeing herself as God saw her caused her to become ashamed of herself for her flagrant sin and caused her to be humbled as well. And she realizes that instead of heeding the words of Solomon,

Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth, Before the difficult days come, And the years draw near when you say, "I have no pleasure in them": --Ecclesiastes 12:1

She has “bore the reproach of her youth.” She has not been wise, but foolish. Let us remind our children to strive for wisdom. We are all foolish by nature. Some may be wise in worldly matters, but foolish like Israel when it comes to God. May God grant us wisdom and repentance that we may not follow in the footsteps of Ephraim, but in the footsteps of the Lord Jesus Christ (1 Jn. 2:6)

Scripture: Acts 2:37; Joel 2:13; Jeremiah 31:18,19; 2 Corinthians 7:10,11; Romans 6:18.