Godly Grief Produces a Repentance That Leads to Salvation (WSC #87)

Introduction

WSC Q. 87. What is repentance unto life?
A. Repentance unto life is a saving grace, whereby a sinner, out of a true sense of his sin, and apprehension of the mercy of God in Christ, doth, with grief and hatred of his sin, turn from it unto God, with full purpose of, and endeavor after, new obedience. Acts 11:18; Acts 2:37-38; Joel 2:12; Jer. 3:22; Jer. 31:18-19; Ezek. 36:31; 2 Cor. 7:11; Isa. 1:16-17.

I. False Repentance

Paul calls it: worldly grief

Biblical Examples of it: Cain, Esau, Pharaoh, and Judas.

II. True Repentance

Paul calls it: godly grief (Acts 11:18; 2 Tim. 2:24-25)

Repentance flows from a love for God…not just a fear of hell (Rom. 2:4)

Repentance flows from a conviction of sin.

Repentance turns from sin and walks in the paths of new obedience.

Conclusion

1. The difference between conviction, which is from God, and condemnation, which is from Satan.

2. Repentance is not something that you can put off until a more convenient time. (Heb. 12:12-17)