Scripture
Romans 2:1-5 (ESV)
1 Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things. 2 We know that the judgment of God rightly falls on those who practice such things. 3 Do you suppose, O man—you who judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourself—that you will escape the judgment of God? 4 Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? 5 But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God's righteous judgment will be revealed.
Devotional #82: Repentance - "A Saving Grace"
You may be familiar with the term “synergy.” A cooperative endeavor by more than one party to accomplish a goal. The work of salvation is the contrary. God alone accomplishes and dispenses salvation to His people. Last week, we saw that faith was a saving grace. Our ability to receive and rest upon Christ is a grace given to us. Repentance is no different. We cannot repent of our sins unless God has united us to Christ through the Holy Spirit.
Repentance is not only a gift of grace, but the content of our repentance is also received by God graciously. God does not require that our words and contrition be perfect! He knows that’s impossible! We will always have wrong and unseen motives in our hearts! But God, by His mercy, receives our contrition because of Jesus’ finished work, because you belong to Him.
Repentance is not only a gift of grace, but the content of our repentance is also received by God graciously. God does not require that our words and contrition be perfect! He knows that’s impossible! We will always have wrong and unseen motives in our hearts! But God, by His mercy, receives our contrition because of Jesus’ finished work, because you belong to Him.
Questions
- Why do we say repentance of gift of grace?
- Why should we repent when we know our repentance will never be perfect?
Scripture
2 Corinthians 7:8-11 (ESV)
8 For even if I made you grieve with my letter, I do not regret it—though I did regret it, for I see that that letter grieved you, though only for a while. 9 As it is, I rejoice, not because you were grieved, but because you were grieved into repenting. For you felt a godly grief, so that you suffered no loss through us.
10 For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death. 11 For see what earnestness this godly grief has produced in you, but also what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what longing, what zeal, what punishment! At every point you have proved yourselves innocent in the matter.
10 For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death. 11 For see what earnestness this godly grief has produced in you, but also what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what longing, what zeal, what punishment! At every point you have proved yourselves innocent in the matter.
Devotional #83: Repentance - "Sorrow That Lead To Death"
The intersection between eternity and time occurs in creation—more specifically in the hearts of men and women. We are acutely aware of the passage of time, but also acknowledge our longing for the transcendent, for the beyond. We are unique creatures, made in the image of God! Likewise, God’s eternal will of salvation is applied to us in time. Our election and justification are eternally safeguarded for us in eternity, but the application of these truths is only experienced through the graces of repentance and faith.
So, it is necessary for us to explore, what is repentance? In 2 Corinthians 7:8-11, Paul speaks of a grief that leads to death and a grief that leads to repentance. What is the worldly grief leads to death? We can see two stories in the Bible that reflect grief that leads to death. First, after Cain had killed his brother Abel, God punishes Cain for his actions. Cain responded, “My punishment is greater than I can bear” (Genesis 4:13). Cain’s grief was not because of his action of murder, but his grief was for the consequences he was to bear. Worldly grief is a self-centered grief. Second, after Judas realized he had wronged Jesus, he returned the silver and then hung himself. Worldly grief also leads us to carry our guilt and shame on our own shoulders. World grief leads to death.
We must be aware that worldly grief is deadly and not a grace that leads to repentance, which leads to life.
So, it is necessary for us to explore, what is repentance? In 2 Corinthians 7:8-11, Paul speaks of a grief that leads to death and a grief that leads to repentance. What is the worldly grief leads to death? We can see two stories in the Bible that reflect grief that leads to death. First, after Cain had killed his brother Abel, God punishes Cain for his actions. Cain responded, “My punishment is greater than I can bear” (Genesis 4:13). Cain’s grief was not because of his action of murder, but his grief was for the consequences he was to bear. Worldly grief is a self-centered grief. Second, after Judas realized he had wronged Jesus, he returned the silver and then hung himself. Worldly grief also leads us to carry our guilt and shame on our own shoulders. World grief leads to death.
We must be aware that worldly grief is deadly and not a grace that leads to repentance, which leads to life.
Questions
- What is the grief that leads to death?
- Do you think both Cain and Judas could have repented and be restored?
Scripture
2 Corinthians 7:8-11 (ESV)
8 For even if I made you grieve with my letter, I do not regret it—though I did regret it, for I see that that letter grieved you, though only for a while. 9 As it is, I rejoice, not because you were grieved, but because you were grieved into repenting. For you felt a godly grief, so that you suffered no loss through us.
10 For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death. 11 For see what earnestness this godly grief has produced in you, but also what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what longing, what zeal, what punishment! At every point you have proved yourselves innocent in the matter.
10 For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death. 11 For see what earnestness this godly grief has produced in you, but also what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what longing, what zeal, what punishment! At every point you have proved yourselves innocent in the matter.
Devotional #84: Repentance - "Grief That Leads To Life"
Our wealth is not measured by the number of cars we possess, nor the size of our bank account, but by our relationships. When we witness loving relationships that have lasted scores of years—a marriage, family, friends—we would declare them wealthy. A man surrounded by gold, but devoid of human contact, has no wealth whatsoever, but would be pitied by all of us!
God’s covenant with us can be concisely described as His promise to relate with us. In Christ Jesus, He has given us everything that we need to grow and enjoy being His people. Repentance and Faith as the two saving graces that connects our being to Him. We experience forgiveness, love, belonging, and peace.
Godly grief leads to life! Godly grief leads us to repentance, which leads to God’s forgiveness, which leads to a nearness to God.
Godly grief can be summarized by the story of David and Bathsheba. When David sinned against Bathsheba, many people had been lied to and many people had died. But David understood the root of his wrongdoing was his sin against the Lord. “Against you, and you alone have I sinned” (Psalm 51:4)! Godly grief (1) Acknowledges that all sin is an offense against the Lord. Godly grief (2) Longs for God’s presence, “Take not your Holy Spirit from me” (Psalm 51:11). Godly grief (3) Asks God for forgiveness, “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit” (Psalm 51:17).
Godly sorrow leads us to the cross of Christ. We sit at Jesus’ feet to sorrowfully ask for forgiveness. We long for our relationship with God to be stronger, that his presence would be more evident to us. And we know that even our imperfect repentance will be received by God—for the imperfections of that repentance have already been forgiven as well.
God’s covenant with us can be concisely described as His promise to relate with us. In Christ Jesus, He has given us everything that we need to grow and enjoy being His people. Repentance and Faith as the two saving graces that connects our being to Him. We experience forgiveness, love, belonging, and peace.
Godly grief leads to life! Godly grief leads us to repentance, which leads to God’s forgiveness, which leads to a nearness to God.
Godly grief can be summarized by the story of David and Bathsheba. When David sinned against Bathsheba, many people had been lied to and many people had died. But David understood the root of his wrongdoing was his sin against the Lord. “Against you, and you alone have I sinned” (Psalm 51:4)! Godly grief (1) Acknowledges that all sin is an offense against the Lord. Godly grief (2) Longs for God’s presence, “Take not your Holy Spirit from me” (Psalm 51:11). Godly grief (3) Asks God for forgiveness, “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit” (Psalm 51:17).
Godly sorrow leads us to the cross of Christ. We sit at Jesus’ feet to sorrowfully ask for forgiveness. We long for our relationship with God to be stronger, that his presence would be more evident to us. And we know that even our imperfect repentance will be received by God—for the imperfections of that repentance have already been forgiven as well.
Questions
- Why is repentance so essential to a vibrant relationship with God?
- Have you ever struggled with repentance because you thought you were not repentant enough?