Repentance | CredoCovenant
Repentance unto Life (Defining Evangelism)
November 27, 2017 / William F. Leonhart III	/ 1 Comment
August 4, 2017 August 4, 2017 / Reformed Baptista	/ Leave a comment
“Such is the provision which God hath made through Christ in the Covenant of Grace, for the preservation of Believers unto Salvation, that although there is no sin so small, but it deserves damnation; yet there is no sin so great, that it shall bring damnation to them that repent; which makes the constant preaching of repentance necessary.”
Isaiah 1:16-18, 55:7
There is no sin too small to slip through the cracks of God’s justice. No matter how minuscule you may consider it, that sin is a glaring neon contrasted with the spotless white of God’s law. Christian, do not treat your sin too lightly. While you are justified by faith, that sin causes a rift in your communion with God. Repent of your small sins, and receive forgiveness and restoration.
There is no sin too great that it lies outside the ability of Christ. You may see the magnitude of your sin as blocking out the light of God’s forgiveness, but that is not so! For in order to see your sin means that light still comes to you. Sin can not totally eclipse the love of God for one who repents. Repent of your big sins, then, and see how His face shines upon you with lovingkindness.
Persistent repentance is the means by which we are preserved unto salvation. A life marked by repentance, trusting in the work of Christ, is a life that will endure to the end. When repentance is preached, we are pointed once again to the majesty of God’s mercy through Jesus Christ. Repentance is not something from which to shy away. Rather, we ought to see it as the grace that it is, and welcome it, for it draws us close to God.
Are you avoiding repentance?
“As Repentance is to be continued through the whole course of our lives, upon the account of the body of death, and the motions thereof; so it is every man’s duty, to repent of his particular known sins, particularly.”
Repentance is not a one-time deal. Because we still have the remaining corruption of sin within us, falling into sin is still a reality for the Christian. The battle against the flesh is a hard one, and we do not always resist successfully. Do not think that you can avoid sinning completely in this life. You will sin.
Since we personally sin, we have to personally repent. No one can repent for you. Since every sin is reprehensible to God, and we continue to sin daily, repentance should be sought out regularly. Do not let pride hinder your repentance. “God will forgive me” is not a reason to delay repentance. Yes, He will forgive you – all the more reason that you should repent as soon as you realize you have sinned!
We are commanded to repent. Throughout the course of our Christian walk, we are to utilize this grace of repentance, that we may not grow stagnant in our sins. May we continually repent, going before the throne of grace to seek forgiveness from Him who freely gives it.
Until sin be bitter—Christ will not be sweet. -Thomas Watson
Are you personally repenting of your personal sins?
“This saving Repentance is an evangelical Grace, whereby a person being by the Holy Spirit made sensible of the manifold evils of his sin, doth, by Faith in Christ, humble himself for it, with godly sorrow, detestation of it, and self abhorrency; praying for pardon, and strength of grace, with a purpose and endeavor by supplies of the Spirit, to walk before God unto all well pleasing in all things.”
What does godly repentance look like? Is it merely feeling sorry? Is it perpetual guilt? While the word “repent” is despised by the world, the multi-faceted act of repentance is a healing, restorative grace given by God. Let’s explore what repentance entails:
Repentance is a grace of God. We do not have to muster up repentance. That said, if you know you have sinned, then you know your duty is to confess and repent of that sin. Do not continue in your sin because you feel you haven’t been granted repentance!
Repentance is realization. You are made aware of your sin. The first step of repentance is to realize and acknowledge that you have sinned.
Repentance requires reflection. Humbleness, godly sorrow, detestation, and self-abhorrence are part of repentance. Our sin has its origin in the inner man (Matthew 12:34), and so our repentance starts within as well. “A broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise” (Psalm 51:17).
Repentance relies on the grace and mercy of God. The penitent woman does not simply try harder next time to avoid sin. Rather, she seeks forgiveness from God and asks for strength from the Holy Spirit to resist temptation.
Repentance resumes running. The one who repents does not stay wallowing in remorse, but rejoices in the cleansing sacrifice of the Savior. She gets back on track running the race set before her, her eyes set on Jesus, the Author and perfecter of her faith.
We see, then, that repentance is not only a feeling. It is not a dour attitude, not is it living with constant guilt. Assent of sin, sorrow for it, prayer for pardon and mercy, supplication for strength, and resolve to walk in a manner worthy of our calling are all encompassed in repentance. Do not avoid repentance, then, but make great use of it.
How has the world’s view of repentance affected your understanding of it?
“Whereas there is none that doth good, and sinneth not; and the best of men may through the power, and deceitfulness of their corruption dwelling in them, with the prevalency of temptation, fall into great sins, and provocations; God hath in the Covenant of Grace, mercifully provided that Believers so sinning and falling, be renewed through Repentance unto Salvation.”
No matter how hard you try, Christian, you’re going to sin sometime. There is no one that does good and does not sin. No one. The corruption of sin remains within us, and it is a formidable foe. It is strong, and it is tricky. We may succumb to its persuasions without even realizing it right away. As Christians it is possible to commit major sins, and there are faithful men and women who have done so. So if Christians will fall into grievous sins, how are they different from unbelievers?
Repentance. God’s provision for believers who have fallen into sin, repentance renews the right spirit within us. We do not have to continue to ignorantly wallow in the filth of sin, unable to return to communion with God. We do not have to continually look at the sin we commit and be sickened by its presence. Repentance is given, so that we can recognize our sin and turn from it, seeking forgiveness. It is a blessing that draws us closer to our Savior.
Christian, when you find you have sinned, do not delay. Do not get stuck in self-pity, beating yourself up for your stupidity and ignorance. Instead, lay hold of the gracious option that the Lord provides for you, and repent unto salvation.
Do you find it difficult to repent?
July 31, 2017 July 31, 2017 / Reformed Baptista	/ Leave a comment
“Such of the Elect as are converted at riper years, having sometime lived in the state of nature, and therein served divers lusts and pleasures, God in their Effectual Calling gives them Repentance unto Life.”
More people are living longer than their predecessors did. Rather than rocking in chairs all day, many of those old enough to be grandparents are out and about, active and influential. Many of those are without Christ as well.
The elect come to faith at all different ages. Some when they are young, not having much time to commit various sins. Others, however, remain in that unregenerate corrupted nature for years. They have racked up numerous sins of diverse kinds. Not only are they saturated in their corrupt nature, they are quite familiar with committing sin. Well seasoned veterans at vice, they are.
From a human perspective, hardened hearts firmly set in patterns of sin are unlikely to change their ways. Yet the elect is there among them. God draws His people from among the mature, experienced sinners as well. He grants them repentance unto life. They are changed, and act accordingly.
You might not be able to teach an old dog new tricks. But God can.
Is anyone too sinful to repent?
December 4, 2016 December 4, 2016 / William F. Leonhart III	/ 18 Comments
You can see the original Definition here, the first revision here, and the second revision here.
A Working Definition of Evangelism (Second Revision)
You can see the original Definition here, and the first revision here.
With a view toward making disciples of all nations and entering them into covenant membership with a local church, through baptism in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, in order that they may be taught all that Christ commanded, evangelism is the endeavor of the church to explain to the unregenerate—both in their midst and in the world—God’s holiness, man’s sin and its wages, Christ’s accomplishment of redemption through His obedience in life, death, and resurrection, and the proper response of sinners: repentance from sin toward God and faith in Jesus Christ alone for salvation.