Repentance by John Matteson

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 5, 1870

Repentance.

By John Matteson

"Repent, and be baptized." How can a sinner repent, become a member of the household of the new covenant, and be a proper candidate for baptism?

"This is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people. . . . For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more." Heb. 8.

The first step is to acknowledge the authority of the law of God; for "sin is the transgression of the law;" and "by the law is the knowledge of sin." Rom. 3: 20. And this is the law that says, "Thou shalt not covet." Rom. 7: 7. Now if the ten commandments are not the law whereby the world was convinced of sin A. D. 60, Rom. 3: 19, 20, please tell us, what definite law was then existing and binding by which "all the world became guilty before God." And if the ten commandments were not the law of which the Saviour spoke at the beginning of his ministry, and from which not one jot or one tittle should pass till heaven and earth pass, and till all the prophecies be fulfilled, tell us what law is it? It is a law that existed before Christ came, and one which will exist as long as earth and heaven exist, and one which is binding on the whole world. Is it the law of sacrifices? No one thinks so. Is it the political law of the Jews? Certainly not. It is the law that says, "Thou shalt not covet."

Some say the penalty has passed away; therefore, the law can no longer be in force. Wonderful argument from a Bible reader. Is not death still the wages of sin? Is there a plainer doctrine in all the Bible than that God will inflict death upon all the transgressors of his law? How can men with the Bible in hand, believing that the day of retribution is nigh, shut their eyes against the solemn fact, that God will soon inflict the penalty of death, or "everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord," upon every transgressor of his holy law, who has not repented of his sins?

"The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart. . . . More to be desired are they than gold, yea than much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb." Ps. 19. When you love the commandments of God more than fine gold, and it is sweeter to your soul to regulate your life by them, than honey and the honeycomb, then may you know that you are a disciple of Jesus.

If you truly acknowledge that you have violated the holy and righteous law of God, and sinned against your merciful and kind Creator, then you can commence to sorrow to repentance. Godly sorrow is not repentance. Yet it is necessary to repentance. And there is no true repentance without godly sorrow. "For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of." 2 Cor. 7: 10. Such sorrow and repentance lead you to the Saviour.

Our sorrow cannot blot out, or pay for, our past sins. Yet this sorrow has great promises; for it is a beginning to awaken out of sinful slumber, and leads us to see our lost and wretched condition. It is a precious eyesalve, whereby we begin to understand that we are "wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked?" Rev. 3. Luther said, He that never doubted, never believed. He that has not seen himself as a poor lost sinner, cannot have saving faith.

But whither shall we flee, when the law threatens, conscience condemns, and sins rise like mountains over our heads?

"Blessed are they that mourn; for they shall be comforted. 'The Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.' Luke 19: 10. The law can wound, and kill. Jesus can heal, and give new life. He will receive every soul who humbly and earnestly seeks him. 'Him that cometh to me, I will in no wise cast out.' John 6: 37. The dear Saviour is still as kind and merciful as he was in the days of his flesh. He will not send you away empty. He hears every prayer, ever so simple, that comes from a true heart. His requirements are not unreasonable. Only yield to his will in all things; let Jesus work upon you by his truth and Holy Spirit; trust in his blood; follow his counsels; then he pardons all your sins.

Are you willing that God may write his law in your heart? Are you willing to conform to his teachings, and obey his commandments? Are you willing to trust in the Saviour who died for sinners? Then, says the Lord, "I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins . . . will I remember

no more."

Blessed voice! Will God remember my sins no more? and that because Jesus shed his blood, suffered and died in bitter agony? Wonderful, infinite love!

Here I see a deep pit at the foot of the cross. My heavy burden sinks into the pit. I see my Saviour's open side. Wretched and unworthy, sinful and polluted, I am washed clean in the fountain of salvation. Bitter tears roll down my cheeks. I am most unworthy; but through tears I see my Saviour smile. He bids me come unto him. Then love is kindled in my soul. My friend is mine, and I am his. He takes me to his bosom in the arms of mercy. I have a foretaste of the blessed inheritance. Praise the Lord! Bless his holy name! Sing praises, ye angels in Heaven, and rejoice; for a poor sinner "was lost, and is found."

JOHN MATTESON.