Pursuing Repentance 2 Cor. 7:1-16

---

Pursuing Repentance 2 Cor. 7:1-16 12.2.12 Sermon Notes 1. Godly grief over sin is a prerequisite for repentance. V. 9

2. Repentance is a prerequisite for both forgiveness and blessing. V. 10-11 Progression of Repentance: A. Godly grief over sin; B. Earnest repentance of sin; C. Confession of sin; D. Anger at power/control of sin; E. Fear of God producing obedience; F. Desire for forgiveness/restoration; G. Desire to make things right with God/others; H. Desire to receive God’s blessing through obedience.

Key Idea: Godly sorrow over our sin will lead us to repentance, confession, and forgiveness. This, in turn, produces both holiness and blessing.

Personal Reflection 1.

Wayne Grudem defines repentance this way in Systematic Theology: “Repentance is a heartfelt sorrow for sin, a renouncing of it, and a sincere commitment to forsake it and walk in obedience to Christ.” (713) The Westminster Shorter Catechism defines repentance this way: “Repentance unto life is a saving grace (Acts 11:18), whereby a sinner, out of a true sense of his sin (Acts 2:37), and apprehension of the mercy of God in Christ (Joel 2:13), doth, with grief and hatred of his sin turn from it unto God (2 Cor. 7:11; Jer. 31:18, 19; Acts 26:18), with full purpose of, and endeavor after, new obedience (Ps. 119:59).” (Culver, Systematic Theology, 708) • Read the verses that accompany the second definition above. Then, using the above definitions as a guide, attempt to write your own definition of biblical repentance.

2. Grudem notes that repentance is a “heartfelt sorrow for sin.” However, many people wrestle with what this actually means. Millard Erickson states in Christian Theology that “repentance is a godly sorrow for one’s sin together with a resolution to turn from it. There are other forms of regret over one’s wrongdoing which are based upon different motivations. One form of regret may be motivated by little more than selfishness. If we have sinned and the consequences are unpleasant, we may well regret what we have done. But that is not true repentance. That is mere penitence. Real repentance is sorrow for one’s sin because of the wrong done to God and the hurt inflicted upon him. This sorrow is accompanied by a genuine desire to abandon that sin. In the case of true repentance, there is a regret over the sin even if the sinner has not suffered any unfortunate personal effects because of it.” (937-938) • Take some time to reflect on this truth. Think about the way that you relate to the presence of sin in your life. Do you experience godly sorrow over sin, or simply feel bad about it? Is there anything in your heart that requires authentic repentance? If so, make that your prayer this week.