Basic HTML Version
Repentance
15
When Pharaoh, king of Egypt, was being punished by God, he
was willing to say he had sinned. He wanted to escape further pain
and loss. But he turned against God again as soon as the suffering
stopped.
All these men were sorry that sin had brought bad results, but
[20]
they were not sorry for the sin itself.
When we yield to the influence of the Spirit of God, the con-
science is awakened. We begin to see how broad and sacred is God’s
holy law, and that it is the basis of God’s government in heaven and
in earth. Jesus, “the light that comes into the world and shines on
all people” (
John 1:9
), shines into the secret places of our mind and
shows up the hidden thoughts. We see how righteous God is, and
we feel afraid to come, guilty and unclean, before the Searcher of
hearts. Then we see the love of God, the beauty of His holiness, and
the joy of His purity. We desire to be made pure so that we can be
friends with God again.
David’s prayer after he had greatly sinned shows us what true
sorrow is like. His repentance was sincere and deep. He did not
try to make his wrong act seem small. He did not try to escape the
results of what he had done. David saw that his sin was great and
that his heart was unclean. He hated his sin. He prayed not only for
forgiveness but for a clean heart. He wanted the joy of holiness—to
be brought back into harmony with God. He wrote: “Happy are
those whose sins are forgiven, whose wrongs are pardoned. Happy
is the one whom the Lord does not accuse of doing wrong and who
is free from deceit.”
Psalm 32:1, 2
.
“Be merciful to me, O God, because of your constant love.
[21]
Because of your great mercy wipe away my sins! ... I recognize my
faults; I am always conscious of my sins.... Remove my sin, and I
will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.... Create
a pure heart in me, O God, and put a new and loyal spirit in me....
Give me again the joy that comes from your salvation, and make me
willing to obey you.... Spare my life, O God, and save me, and I will
gladly proclaim your righteousness.”
Psalm 51:1-14
.
Repentance of this kind is beyond the reach of our own power.
It comes only from Christ, who went to heaven and has given us
spiritual gifts.