Friday, October 22, 2010
Mark 1:15 "The time has come," he said. "The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!"
CONFESSING THE TRUTH: ABOUT REPENTANCE
What happens when we are struck by the force of God's law? When it is revealed to us that we are poor, miserable sinners, what then?
Sadly for some, the spiritual journey goes no further. When Judas Iscariot was confronted by the law, he was filled with remorse and took his own life in despair. When the Pharisees of Jesus' day were confronted by the law, they looked for ways to work around it so they could maintain their appearance of righteousness. Neither Judas nor the Pharisees showed true repentance.
Yes, repentance involves a recognition of one's sin as Martin Luther confessed in the Smalcald Articles: "This ... is what it means to begin true repentance; and here man must hear such a sentence as this: You are all of no account ... no one is godly" (III, 3). Notice, however, that this is called the "beginning" of true repentance. Read further:
"But to this office the New Testament immediately adds the consolatory promise of grace through the Gospel, i.e., become different and do otherwise, and believe My promise ... Whenever the Law alone, without the Gospel being added, exercises this office [of repentance], there is death and hell, and man must despair, like Saul and Judas" (Smalcald Articles III, 3).
True repentance is more than just remorse or sorrow over what we have done. It also includes being confident that our Lord and Savior has forgiven our sins and cleansed us of all unrighteousness in the sight of God. If we see our sin-problem but see no solution to it, we will be sad indeed. If we see our sin-problem but also receive Christ's mercy with a happy heart, our joy will be full.
