Gospel Repentance

The following is an article by Robert Cheong, from Sojourn Counseling.

Opening:

What images and feelings come over you when I mention the "R" word—"repentance"?

Ripping of the clothes
Sack cloth & ashes
Pounding on the chest
Weeping while laying face down on the floor

These images are biblical, but are they the only images and feelings that are associated with repentance?

Definition

What is Repentance?

Repentance is a heartfelt sorrow for sin, a renouncing of it, and a sincere commitment to forsake it and walk in obedience to Christ (Grudem).

Our Sinful Movement Away From Our Savior

Unrepentance

Aspects of Unrepentance:

Spiritual Warfare Abounds

Our Fortified Kingdom

Dynamics of Unrepentance:

As believers, unrepentance brings disorder to the soul.
God created us, as His people, in His image, and redeemed us to be in a love relationship with Him. Therefore, when we knowingly (or unknowingly) live in a manner contrary to His redemptive design, we experience chaos and turmoil in our souls.

God's Redemptive Movement Towards Us

"Repentance is the gift of God; that Jesus is exalted to bestow it" (John Newton)
"Repentance is a gracious principle & habit implanted in the soul by the Spirit of Christ" (John Colquhoun)
God's indwelling Spirit graciously imparts clarity and conviction of our sin (cf. Ps. 73:16-17) as a God-ordained pathway to growth and fruit-bearing (cf. Gal. 5:22-23).

God Bears Down

Sorrow Prompts

Gospel Repentance is brought about by sorrow that is according to the will of God
Gospel Repentance is Without Regret—no shame, no condemnation
Gospel Repentance is Redemptive—leads to salvation
Godly Sorrow versus Worldly Sorrow—produces death
Most sorrowful for having sinned against an infinitely holy & gracious God (Colquhoun)
"Against You, You only, I have sinned and done evil in Your sight so that You are justified when You speak" (Ps. 51:4)

Our Redemptive Response Towards Redeemer

Confession Issues

Repentance Flows

Seek the LORD while He may be found; Call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way And the unrighteous man his thoughts; And let him return to the LORD, And He will have compassion on him, And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon. — Isaiah 55:6-7

Repentance is Rooted in Relationship—return to the Lord
Repentance is a Response to Revelation—My ways . . . My thoughts . . . (Isa. 55:8-9). The Spirit of God opens eyes and redirects the affections of the heart; therefore repentance is worship.
Result of Repentance—compassion and abundantly pardoned (forgiven)
"When you have found out your disease and danger, give up yourselves to Christ as the Saviour and Physician of souls, and to the Holy Ghost as your Sanctifier, remembering that he is sufficient and willing to do the work which he has undertaken" (Baxter).
"When you fail, keep Jesus and his work in view. Run to your Lord, not away from him. Receive his forgiveness, get back up, and follow him once more, knowing that each time you fail, you can experience your identity as one for whom Christ died. Each failure reminds us of why he had to die, each confession reminds us of the forgiveness that only the Cross could provide" (Lane & Tripp, How People Change).

Joy Results (Psalm 51)

Faith Deepens

Tongue Praises (Psalm 51)

God's Redemptive Response Towards Us

Forgiveness: A beautiful portrait of our Heavenly Father's forgiveness when we turn back to Him in repentance (The Prodigal Son—Luke 15:11-32) "So he got up and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion for him, and ran and embraced him and kissed him."