A Repentance Unrepented
By E. Hilliard
WORLDLY sorrow comes because the sin is found out, made public. Some believe and teach that such sorrow for sin is genuine repentance. But such sorrow leads away from repentance to death eternal. "For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death." 2 Cor. 7:10. Godly sorrow is sorrow for the transgression of God's law, and it leads to a turning away from sin to life eternal. God cannot look upon the smallest sin with the least degree of allowance, for He has provided a way for the sinner to be separated from his sins. He commands all men everywhere to repent. Acts 17:30. It is through repentance, confession, and faith in Christ that we are released from the bondage of sin. Repentance is a gift from God just as much as forgiveness. "Him hath God exalted with His right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins." Acts 5:31. It is through the work of the Holy Spirit that the sinner is reproved of his sins and brought to genuine repentance. See John 16:7, 8. It is the divine Spirit working through the instrumentality of the law that makes sin appear exceeding sinful. The afflicted soul bows down under his load of guilt and shame. He sees only a selfish, sinful, wasted life; and he cries out in his grief, "O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?" Rom. 7:24. Satan leads men to commit sin, and then tortures them with the thought that they have committed the unpardonable sin. Cruel foe! He loves to harass the penitent soul by whispering: "You have sinned away the day of grace. There is no hope for your soul." Let us thank God that this foe can be put to flight by faith in the promises of our crucified Redeemer. It is through the promise of God that the tortured conscience finds relief. Listen to the cheering words from the heights of glory, ringing down through the ages—words which, if believed, will bring peace to your wretched, sin-burdened soul: "Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and He will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon." Jesus loves to plead His precious blood in full payment for the penitent, believing soul. E. HILLIARD.