Spiritual Growth / Repentance and Forgiveness

  • The Fruit of Repentance

    Matthew 3:7–10

    One of the more neglected tools that can help us grow in our holiness is the confession of sins one to another (James 5:16). It can be difficult to admit to other people that we have sinned, but loving ...Read More

  • Forgiveness Mandated

    Colossians 3:12–13

    “I can never forgive him” is commonly found on the lips of those who have been sinned against, especially when the violation is heinous. Some of us may feel like we can never pardon a particular individual even if we ...Read More

  • Repentance in Action

    Luke 19:1–10

    Repentance entails confessing one’s sin to the Lord and if necessary, to an offended person as well. But the reality of repentance (and faith in God) is shown in a good-faith effort to make restitution to those we have ...Read More

  • Loving Your Enemies

    Luke 6:27–36

    The old saying “love the sinner, hate the sin” is true insofar as it reflects our abilities. Our remaining sin makes it impossible for our hatred of the wicked and the violent to be pure and holy like God’s ...Read More

  • Receiving Forgiveness

    1 John 1:8–9

    Godly fear makes us work out our salvation by seeking forgiveness in Jesus and living out His pardon in the fruits of a holy life and ministry to others (Phil. 2:12–13). Ungodly fear arrogantly assumes that God’s ...Read More

  • The Only Solution

    Luke 5:17–26

    One of the most important reasons we need godly friends is so that we can discern our guilt and experience the Lord’s forgiveness. Left to ourselves we will often rationalize our sins or quickly suppress guilt feelings, but others ...Read More

  • Grace and Forgiveness

    Genesis 1:27

    When Paul exhorts women to train women, and by implication, men to train men (Tit. 2:1–8), he is not speaking of doctrinal matters as if they are unconnected from everyday life. God wants godly men to teach and ...Read More

  • The Joy of Forgiveness

    Psalm 32

    We can stand in right relationship to God only if the perfect obedience of Christ is put on our record. If this has happened, the Lord no longer counts sin against us. At the conclusion of our study of repentance ...Read More

  • 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

  • Living Coram Deo

    Psalm 51:9–12

    In verse 10 of today’s passage, David begs the Lord to “renew a right spirit” within him. The “right” or “steadfast” disposition to love God affects our sin. We may go through extended periods of devotion, but when our ...Read More

  • Purging the Inward Parts

    Psalm 51:6–8

    The process of repentance can be rough and hurt at first. But remember that the Lord chastises us at times because that is the way He chooses to restore us to full health (Hos. 6:1). If you are crushed ...Read More

  • Tender Mercies

    Psalm 51:1–3

    If you have asked the Lord to have mercy on you in Christ and forgive you of your sin, then He has washed you clean (1 John 1:8–9). Moreover, we must imitate God (Eph. 5:1) and be ...Read More

  • The Sin of David

    2 Samuel 11:1–12:23

    God mercifully forgave David when he acknowledged his sin, but this does not mean his transgression had no consequences. David also worshiped the Lord even after these consequences were brought to pass (2 Sam. 12:15b–23), showing that He ...Read More

  • The Need for Repentance

    Matthew 7:21–23

    Repentance does not eliminate the struggle with sin and make us perfect immediately. But it does result in a marked change of thoughts, words, and deeds whereby we do not love our former lusts as we once did. If we ...Read More

  • Have Mercy

    Jude 22–23

    Think of someone who may fall into any of the three categories listed in today’s study. What has your attitude been toward that person? Have you gone after them in order to help rescue them from perdition? When you ...Read More