Repentance

  • A Contrite Repentance

    Psalm 51:14–19

    As we saw in our study of Psalm 51:4, the wrongs we do are first and foremost sins against the Lord. True repentance realizes our transgressions are heinous because they violate God’s holy character. If you have a ...Read More

  • A False Repentance

    1 Samuel 15:24-29

    What a pathetic figure Saul presents—his heart is far from God, but he is more concerned with saving face before his people. The condition of our souls must always be our highest personal concern, and true grief over sin ...Read More

  • A Futile Striving

    Lamentations 2:1-5

    Because our Lord is slow to anger, we should not live in fear that He is always about to “get us” because of our sins. At the same time, we should understand that if we harden our hearts persistently, we ...Read More

  • A Good Crop

    Hebrews 6:7–8

    Some Christians think that they have committed the sin of apostasy, thus demonstrating that they were never really saved. But the very fact that they worry about it might show that the Holy Spirit is working in their hearts to ...Read More

  • Always Reforming

    Nehemiah 13

    Consistent preaching of the gospel both to ourselves and to the world around us is necessary if reformation is to endure. We need to be reminded of the gravity of our sin and the greatness of our Savior in order ...Read More

  • A More Permanent Tabernacle

    2 Chronicles 7:11–22

    God has met us face-to-face in Jesus, and we can be assured that He will never leave the temple that He is building in His Son with us as living stones (1 Peter 2:1–11). Let us not take ...Read More

  • A Tragic End for Judas

    Matthew 27:1–10

    Matthew Henry comments, “Some have said, that Judas sinned more in despairing of the mercy of God, than in betraying his Master’s blood.” Neither Judas’ betrayal nor his suicide is the unforgiveable sin, only his refusal to seek the ...Read More

  • By His Wounds

    1 Peter 2:24–25

    All human beings at all times and in all places are required to obey the Lord fully and completely. However, we cannot do this. We all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Rom. 3:23). But ...Read More

  • Christian Maturity

    1 John 2:12–14

    The qualities mentioned in today’s passage are qualities for which all Christians should strive, and each of them contributes to the believer’s assurance. As we engage in the spiritual disciplines of prayer, Bible study, worship, stewardship, service, and ...Read More

  • David’s Great Sin

    2 Samuel 11:1-12:14

    A man after God’s heart loves the things God loves and the ways He prescribes. Though he may deviate from those ways at times, he will return—for God will not let him rest in his sin. All true ...Read More

  • Divine Sorrow

    Genesis 6:5–7

    If the Lord could not be sorrowful or angry at our sin or joyful at our obedience, we could not believe He is unchangeably holy, righteous, and good. Though our character may change, our Father’s does not, and therefore ...Read More

  • Embracing the Penitent

    Luke 15:11–31

    Although not everyone who has been subjected to church discipline repents, there are many times when a disciplined sinner is humbled by the church’s treatment and, forsaking sin, returns to the fold. When this happens, church leaders and laypeople ...Read More

  • Examining Calvin’s Rules of Prayer (Part 2)

    Do you pray with genuine feeling? Do you always accompany your prayers with repentance?Read More

  • Faith and Repentance

    Luke 18:9–14

    Repentance is not something that is only a part of our lives when we first come to Christ. Jesus tells us in the Lord’s Prayer that it is to be a daily practice (Matt. 6:12). When we go ...Read More

  • Faith and Repentance

    Luke 18:9–14

    Repentance is serious business, but it is required only when actual sin has been committed. Knowing the difference between true sin and what others falsely assume to be sin demands the faithful study of Scripture. So, we should read God ...Read More