The Marks of Repentance
“So they went out and proclaimed that people should repent.” (Mark 6:12)
“What you win them with is what you win them to.” Have you heard that before? When Jesus begins to send out his first twelve disciples with a great and awesome task, we may imagine this truism passing through His mind. If Jesus’ mission is to win them to God, then that mission must shape His message. Therefore, we arrive at our passage today – “repent.” Many people lament that they do not hear “repentance” preached from the pulpit anymore; however, I would argue that repentance has never been a popular topic. (I mean, how many people want to be told that they are wrong?) But what exactly is repentance? How do we distinguish sorrow over sin from sorrow over getting caught?
Repentance contains six key ingredients. First, true repentance requires a clear sight of sin. It is one thing to say, “To err is to be human.” Or my favorite, “I’m sorry I made you upset.” This implies that it wouldn’t be a sin if you wouldn’t have gotten so offended! However, true repentance requires a true sight of specific sins in the light of Christ. Therefore, David says, “I know my transgressions.” (Ps 51:3) Second, true repentance sorrows over sin. Sin grieves God and incites His righteous anger. Can we see sin as sin without having the same response? We have dishonored our God, dismayed our brother, and destroyed our Christian witness. Is that not reason to sorrow? Again, David says, “Restore to me the joy of my salvation.” (51:12) David knew the godly sorrow that follows godly repentance. Third, true repentance confesses sin. The Bible does not picture the perfunctory apologies after getting caught where lip strides while life stumbles; no, confession of sin comes from the heart. David confesses his sin to God Almighty: “Against You, You only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight.” (51:4) David does not excuse his sin nor accuse others for his failure; David simply confesses his sin – his original sin in which he was conceived and the actual sin he committed, and he confesses and God’s justice (51:4-5).
Fourth, true repentance is ashamed of sin. Shame is a dirty word, isn’t it? However, a godly shame would do many of us well. When individuals with a guilty conscience are asked to supply the missing letter to W-SH, most put “A” and spell “wash.” Shame makes us feel dirty. True repentance avoids all such occasions for guilt and grime, hating “even the garment stained by the flesh.” (Jude 23) Fifth, true repentance hates sin. I do not mean that one particular sin; no, true repentance hates all sin. All sin carries the same poison in its sting, and those cured do not venture near the hornet’s nest again. Lastly, true repentance requires a turning away from sin. This doesn’t mean, “I’m breaking my addiction to Facebook by getting on Twitter.” No, it means turning from sin and to Christ. Hence David says, “I will teach transgressors your ways...my mouth will declare your praise” (51:13, 15)
My friends, are these the marks of our repentance? Are these the marks we are laboring to see in our loved ones? If not, cry out to Christ, and He will give you the gift of repentance as He has so many others (Acts 11:18).
