Biblical Repentance/The Fruits of Repentance

From Gospel Translations

Revision as of 16:47, 8 August 2008

Fruits Will Always Follow Repentance

In conclusion, let us consider the fruits which always follow genuine Biblical repentance.

John the Baptist warned his hearers, “Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance” (Mat 3:8). And the Apostle Paul told King Agrippa that his message to the Jews and to the Gentiles was “that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance” (Act 26:20). So from these two Scriptures we learn that true biblical repentance will show itself in the believer’s life by its fruits. Let us look then at some of these fruits. As we do, let us pray that the Holy Spirit will open our understanding to His precious Word and that He will open and search our hearts. May the Lord show us if these fruits are being produced in our lives by the Spirit of the living God.

A. Repentance Results in a Real Hatred for Sin

First, the fruit of true Biblical repentance in our lives is a real hatred for sin as sin and not merely hatred for its consequence, which is separation from God in hell forever. This hatred is not against this or that sin, but hatred of all sin, and particularly of the root itself which is self-will. In Ezekiel 14:6 we read, “Thus saith the Lord God; repent, and turn yourselves from your idols; and turn away your faces from all your abomina-tions.” We do this with a hatred for them and a loathing of ourselves. This is set forth in Ezekiel 20:43: “Ye shall lothe yourselves in your own sight for all your evils that ye have committed.” You see, the change of mind which God requires, the change of mind which God is pleased with, is a real hatred for sin as sin against God. Therefore, I ask, do you and I have a hatred for sin in this manner? If not, then we have not brought forth the fruits of true Biblical repentance.

B. Repentance Results in a Godly Sorrow for Sin

Second, the fruit of true Biblical repentance is a godly sorrow for sin. 2 Corinthians 7:9-10 reads, “Ye sor-rowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner...for godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation.” This sorrow consists of grief for having despised such a God, for having rebelled against His au-thority, and for having been indifferent to His glory. It was a sorrow such as this that caused Peter to go out and weep bitterly over denying his Lord (Mat 26:75). And a sorrow such as this causes us to weep bitterly over our sins because they are against God. We are made to cry like David, “I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight” (Psa 51:3-4).

Have you thus sorrowed for sin as being against God? This fruit of true Biblical repentance causes us to “crucify the flesh with the affections and lusts” (Gal 5:24) and to follow God in Christ with all our hearts. Only this kind of sorrow for sin is genuine.

C. Repentance Results in Confession of Sin

Third, the fruit of true Biblical repentance is confession of sin. We read in Proverbs 28:13, “He that cover-eth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.” Yes, there must be the fruit of confessing and hiding nothing. You see, you and I both know that it is our nature to deny our sins, directly or indirectly, and to minimize or make excuses for them. But when the Holy Spirit works in our souls and brings our sins to light, we must acknowledge them before God.

If true Biblical repentance is working in our hearts, we will find no relief until we confess our sins and lay them bare before God. This is brought out in Psalm 32:3-4 in these words: “When I kept silence, my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long. For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me: my moisture is turned into drought of summer.” You see, only heart-felt confession of our sins will bring us peace with God in Christ. And my friend, this continues in our life until we get to glory. Confession and repentance are part of the believer’s daily prayer, as he pleads 1John 1:9 at the throne of grace: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

D. Repentance Results in an Actual Turning from Sin

Fourth, the fruit of true Biblical repentance is an actual turning from sin. True repentance is a radical change of mind and heart that leads to a complete turnabout of our life. “He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy” (Pro 28:13). If I really hate sin and sorrow over it, then I shall forsake it. I shall take to heart Isaiah 55:7, which reads, “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.” This is the change of course which God requires. It will show itself in the repenting, believing sinner taking heed to the Word of God which says, “Flee fornication” (1Co 6:18); “Flee from idolatry” (1Co 10:14); “Flee the love of money” (2Ti 6:10-11); “Flee also youthful lusts” (2Ti 2:22). And it will also show itself in putting into practice the positive graces of following after “righteousness, faith, love, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart” (2Ti 2:22). My friend, the question be-fore us is—have you and I, from our hearts, actually turned from sin unto God?