The Sweetness of Repentance

The sweetness of repentance is one of the greatest joys of the Christian life. For the Christian, Jesus took every act of disobedience upon himself on the cross. He paid the debt in full. He has clothed us with his righteousness. We are so joined to him Paul boldly says we already sit with him in heavenly places. He not only took our sin, but he gave us his righteousness. Paul says we have been made complete in him. We have every spiritual blessing. These truths free the Christian for a life of repentance. Knowing God sees me as completely holy in Christ, I am free to admit my sin. Knowing the debt is paid and I am free allows me to see the depths of my heart without fear. As we grow and mature in obedience we also grow in the knowledge of our sin. If we truly see God's holiness, we will be forced to see the depths of our own sin. This is the Christian life.

These are two of my favorite quotes and my favorite hymn of repentance.

"I sometimes wonder that you do not get tired of my preaching, because I do nothing but hammer away on this one nail. With me it is, year after year, ‘None but Jesus! None but Jesus!’ Oh, you great saints, if you have outgrown the need of a sinner’s trust in the Lord Jesus, you have outgrown your sins, but you have also outgrown your grace, and your saintship has ruined you!" C.H. Spurgeon

"Take ten looks at the cross for every one look at your sin." Robert Murray McCheyne


Psalm 130 (From Depths of Woe) by Martin Luther

From the depths of woe I raise to Thee
The voice of lamentation;
Lord, turn a gracious ear to me
And hear my supplication;
If Thou iniquities dost mark,
Our secret sins and misdeeds dark,

O who shall stand before Thee?
(Who shall stand before Thee?)
O who shall stand before Thee?
(Who shall stand before Thee?)

To wash away the crimson stain,
Grace, grace alone availeth;
Our works, alas! Are all in vain;
In much the best life faileth;
No man can glory in Thy sight,
All must alike confess Thy might,

And live alone by mercy
(Live alone by mercy)
And live alone by mercy
(Live alone by mercy)

Therefore my trust is in the Lord,
And not in mine own merit;
On Him my soul shall rest, His word
Upholds my fainting spirit;
His promised mercy is my fort,
My comfort and my sweet support;

I wait for it with patience
(Wait for it with patience)
I wait for it with patience
(Wait for it with patience)

What though I wait the live-long night,
And ’til the dawn appeareth,
My heart still trusteth in His might;
It doubteth not nor feareth;
Do thus, O ye of Israel’s seed,
Ye of the Spirit born indeed;

And wait ’til God appeareth
(Wait ’til God appeareth)
And wait ’til God appeareth
(Wait ’til God appeareth)

Though great our sins and sore our woes
His grace much more aboundeth;
His helping love no limit knows,
Our upmost need it soundeth.
Our Shepherd good and true is He,
Who will at last His Israel free

From all their sin and sorrow
(All their sin and sorrow)
From all their sin and sorrow
(All their sin and sorrow)