Understanding True Repentance: A Transformative Journey

Repentance, true repentance is the thought for today. We're going to be dealing with this subject over the next four, five lessons. And I believe that God has something to say because if we're going to get people saved, we're going to have to bring people to a place of repentance. To do that, we've got to understand what repentance is from God's standpoint. [00:00:42]

They sorrowed after a godly sort. Now, this to the apostle and to God was the evidence that their repentance was genuine. In verse 1, in the verse, rather, I've taken from my text, he speaks of two kinds of sorrow, one working repentance unto salvation, the other working unto death. Now, he alludes here to what is generally understood by two kinds of repentance, and this is the lesson that I want to bring to you today. [00:01:42]

It is a want of discriminating instructions regarding the foundation of religion, especially regarding true and false repentance. Now, that's the thought that we're going to sit here in the very door of this series on repentance. What is true repentance? Now, first of all, it is a change in opinion respecting the nature of sin. Now, this change of opinion must be followed by a change of feelings towards sin. [00:05:23]

Feelings are always the results of thought. Now, when our thoughts of sin are such as to produce a corresponding feeling, if the opinion is right and the feeling corresponds, then this is true repentance. Godly sorrow, such as God requires, must spring from such views of sin as God holds about sin. [00:06:08]

The truly repentant is astonished that he could ever desire such a thing. You know that's the truth. You sit here that have really been birthed of God. You come out of a world of sin and come to the place of knowing Christ. Then you wonder why you could ever desire such a thing. Now, when that opinion changes and you regard sin differently than God, then you're dead or you're dying. [00:07:21]

There is a world of difference, and the difference is being saved and being lost. Second, there must be a change of opinion of the character of sin in respect to the relation to God. Sinners, they do not see why God threatens sin with such terrible punishment. They love sin so much themselves, they do not see why God should judge it worthy of everlasting punishment. [00:09:08]

In that state of conviction, they see sin just like the truly born-again Christian. Many a sinner is brought to see sin's relation to God and to be such as to deserve an eternal hell. Now, most of them are brought to this point that come into our altars. They're brought to this place that they see sin in its relationship. [00:10:10]

But there can be the change of opinion, I want to impress this upon your mind, without there being repentance. A man can see sin as God sees sin and yet never really repent of sin, and until he repents, he never feels about sin like God feels about sin. Now, in true repentance, there must follow this change of feeling. The truly repented soul not only sees sin as a terrible thing, but like God, he hates sin with a passion. [00:13:44]

Now, if your repentance is genuine, there is in your mind a conscious change of both views and feelings in regard to sin. Let me ask you, do you know that on this point... You're right. there is a change in you. And I believe we in this class as ministers of Christ that are bringing men to Christ, then forging them into the vessel that we've been talking about, then we have to ask this question to the people that we're leading to Christ and bringing in to this new birth. [00:15:48]

What is now your feeling towards sin when repentance is genuine, the disposition to repeat sin is gone. Doesn't mean that a man in a place of anger or something may not slip, but the disposition to repeat sin is gone. That's what the Bible means. When if any man be in Christ, there is a new creation. [00:16:32]

Genuine repentance brings a change of conduct. Now, with the power, as I said, with conviction comes the power to repent. With repentance, the grace of faith to believe comes. I've dealt with many people that said to me, I really would like to be a Christian, but I just don't have the faith. That isn't your problem at all. The problem isn't faith. The problem is with true repentance. Amen. Now, if you still have the disposition to sin, if you still love sin, you're only in a state of conviction. [00:20:03]

Godly sorrow worketh a change of conduct. Otherwise, it would be a repetition of the same idea or sin that repentance produces repentance. The apostle Paul was speaking of such a change of mind as produces a change of conduct ending in salvation. So, again, we have the question. So, again, we have the question. So, again, we have the question. [00:21:02]