What is real repentance?
Leonard Cohen recorded a song called ‘The Future’, it asks the question “when they said repent, repent, I wonder what they meant?”
Have you ever noticed when those in leadership or high office in our land are caught in compromising circumstances how they react? It’s usually with the words “I have done nothing wrong”. Generally no apology is given, no forgiveness sought and certainly there is nothing to repent of.
The blurb on the cover of Thomas Watson’s little book, The Doctrine of Repentance states “in a world that will not tolerate the mention of sin, and in churches where it is defined in sociological terms, the Biblical teaching on repentance has inevitably been ignored”.
In our reformed and confessional circle our subordinate documents, The Westminster Confession of Faith and the Shorter and Larger Catechisms, give an answer to Cohen’s question but primarily we look to the Scriptures and especially to the beginning of Jesus’ ministry. Here we see the importance of this doctrine in announcing who Jesus was and the message he proclaimed.
John the Baptist, the forerunner of Jesus came preaching a baptism of repentance and the forgiveness of sins (Mark 1:4). After John’s arrest we are told that Jesus came into Galilee announcing that ‘the Kingdom of God had come and calling people to repent and believe the gospel’ (Mark 1:15).
As we read through the Gospels and indeed the epistles as well you will notice that repentance and faith are inseparable twins!
REPENTANCE AND FAITH
Peter and Paul’s preaching, as recorded in the Acts of the Apostles, is marked by a call to repent and believe. Peter’s powerful sermon on the Day of Pentecost prompted the question from his hearers “Brothers, what shall we do?” and his reply, “repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins”. In Acts 20 Paul declares that he did not shrink from teaching repentance towards God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ (v.20-21) and as you read through the book of Acts you will discover right to the very end the centrality of repentance in apostolic preaching. In chapter 26 Paul, before King Agrippa, declares the message he proclaimed in Damascus, Jerusalem and the entire region of Judea; as well as to the Gentiles. What was it? That they should repent and turn to God (v.20).
Repentance is not a call for moral change but a turning from sin unto God because of his mercy and grace. Jesus told the crowds, “unless you repent you too will all perish”. The WCF states ‘repentance is so necessary for all sinners, that no one may expect pardon without it’ (15:4).
REPENTANCE AND IDENTITY
The opening words of Calvin’s Institutes state, “Nearly all the wisdom we possess, that is to say, true and sound wisdom, consists of two parts; the knowledge of God and of ourselves” (1.i.i.).
We see this most plainly in the story of the Prodigal son. When he came to himself, and realized his circumstances he quickly became aware of his identity, who he was before his father. He arose and headed for home and he tells us what he was going to say, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, I am not worthy….”.
Here is recognition of his plight, awareness of what he had done and to whom he had done it to. We see a similar account in Psalm 51. As David confesses his sin, he says “against you, and you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight”.
Michael Ovey has written, “Repentance is an acceptance of the truth about oneself and a rejection of false consciousness and false identity”.
Thomas Watson gives six special ingredients to show what gospel repentance is:
Sight of sin
Sorrow for sin
Confession of sin
Shame for sin
Hatred for sin
Turning from sin
He tells us If any one of the above is left out repentance loses its virtue.
REPENTANCE AND LIFE
Repentance is a life long part of Christian living and as Thomas Watson comments “Repentance is never out of season”.
There is the daily struggle with temptation and sin, and Scripture makes it clear that Christians will need to repent of sin until the day they die (1 John 1:8-9).
The cause of true repentance is seen as a sinner comes to see the true nature of his sin and apprehends the mercy of God in Christ, and with full purpose he seeks after new obedience (Q87, Shorter Catechism).
True repentance not only sorrows over sin but also sees a loving Saviour who is full of mercy and compassion, “if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness”.
Randall Greenwald comments, “Repentance, therefore, is a part of the Christian’s daily life and a key weapon against the dominion of sin”
