p. 3 | Fruitless Confessions by John Norton Loughborough

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Nov 27, 1913

Fruitless Confessions

By John Norton Loughborough

J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH

The apostle Paul, when writing to the Corinthians, presented the work of genuine confession in these words: “Now that I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing. For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death. For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter.” 2 Cor. 7: 9-11.

In the above scripture genuine repentance and confession are described. In contrast with this read the following concerning worldly sorrow: “There are too many confessions like that of Pharaoh when he was suffering the judgments of God. He acknowledged his sin in order to escape from the punishment, but returned to his defiance of Heaven as soon as the plagues were stayed. Balaam’s confession was of a similar character. Terrified by the angel standing in his pathway with drawn sword, he acknowledged his guilt, lest he should lose his life. There was no genuine repentance for sin, no contrition, no conversion of purpose, no abhorrence of evil, and no worth or virtue in his confession. Judas Iscariot, after betraying his Lord, returned to the priests, exclaiming, ‘I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood.’ But his confession was not of such a character as would commend him to the mercy of God. It was forced from his guilty soul by an awful sense of condemnation, and a fearful looking for of judgment. The consequences that were to result to him drew forth from him this acknowledgment of his great sin. There was no deep, heart-breaking grief in his soul that he had delivered the Son of God to be mocked, scourged, and crucified; that he had betrayed the Holy One of Israel into the hands of wicked and unscrupulous men. His confession was only prompted by a selfish and darkened heart.”

In the case of Judas we have an illustration of what Paul calls “the sorrow of the world,” which “worketh death.” We have also an illustration of the working of worldly sorrow in the case of Ahithophel. When he “saw that his counsel was not followed, he saddled his ass, and arose, and gat him home to his house, to his city, and put his household in order, and hanged himself, and died.” 2 Sam. 17: 23.

Jeremiah said of Israel, who persisted in following idols after the Lord had reproved them: “As the thief is ashamed [sorry] when he is found, so is the house of Israel ashamed: they, their kings, their princes, and their priests, and their prophets, saying to a stock, Thou art my father; and to a stone, Thou hast brought me forth: for they have turned their back unto me, and not their face: but in the time of their trouble they will say, Arise, and save us.” Jer. 2: 26, 27.

Lodi, Cal.