I. True Repentance is accompanied with salutary fear. “If thou shalt hearken,” etc. The penitent does not trifle, but trembles at the word. He is afraid to offend. When God speaks, he listens to learn and obey.
II. True repentance leads to reformation of conduct. “Thou shalt return” (Deu_30:8). No murmuring, hatred, and departure from God, but right views, feelings, and relation to God. Re-tracing one’s steps, turning again. “I will arise and go to my Father.”
III. True repentance is evidenced by sincere obedience to God’s will. “Turn with all thine heart and keep his commandments” Deu_30:10). Self-will destroyed, God’s authority acknowledged, and His will supreme. The heart rightly affected, the life rightly directed, “Bring forth fruits meet for repentance.”
IV. True repentance meets with divine acceptance. “The Lord thy God will make thee plenteous rejoice over thee for good” (Deu_30:9). Sins forgiven, deliverance from enemies, restoration to lost blessings, and divine favours enjoyed: Men unfit to be forgiven, without sorrow for sin, incapable of mercy, if insensible to wrong doing, and resolved not to amend. We are only prepared for blessings ourselves and useful to others by deep personal repentance. Paul, Luther, Bunyan instances. Then are we “plenteous, prosperous in every work of our hand.”
II. True repentance leads to reformation of conduct. “Thou shalt return” (Deu_30:8). No murmuring, hatred, and departure from God, but right views, feelings, and relation to God. Re-tracing one’s steps, turning again. “I will arise and go to my Father.”
III. True repentance is evidenced by sincere obedience to God’s will. “Turn with all thine heart and keep his commandments” Deu_30:10). Self-will destroyed, God’s authority acknowledged, and His will supreme. The heart rightly affected, the life rightly directed, “Bring forth fruits meet for repentance.”
IV. True repentance meets with divine acceptance. “The Lord thy God will make thee plenteous rejoice over thee for good” (Deu_30:9). Sins forgiven, deliverance from enemies, restoration to lost blessings, and divine favours enjoyed: Men unfit to be forgiven, without sorrow for sin, incapable of mercy, if insensible to wrong doing, and resolved not to amend. We are only prepared for blessings ourselves and useful to others by deep personal repentance. Paul, Luther, Bunyan instances. Then are we “plenteous, prosperous in every work of our hand.”
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