02.18. Repentance - 03 - The Results of Repentance.

Repentance – 03 – The Results of Repentance.

These are mostly implied in the foregoing Sections.

(a) We first note what may be called the Godward side. It is "unto life" (Acts 11:18); "toward God" (Acts 20:1-38 :al); "unto salvation" (2 Corinthians 7:10); "unto the remission of our sins" (Acts 2:38); "that your sins may be blotted out, that SO there may come seasons of refreshing from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ who hath been appointed for you, even Jesus" (Acts 3:19-20).

(b) On man’s part repentance is followed by his turning to God (Acts 3:19), and the doing of works meet for repentance (Acts 26:20; Matthew 3:8). The sinner "out of a true sense of his sin, and apprehension of the mercy of God in Christ, cloth, with grief and hatred of his sin, turn from it unto God, with full purpose of, and endeavor after, new obedience." This article is written in the belief that repentance implies the making of restitution where this is possible. This seems in harmony with the very meaning of the word, and with the Savior’s approval of the conduct of Zacchaeus (Luke 19:8-9). Dare we say that Adam Clark’s words are too strong: "No man should expect mercy at the hand of God, who, having wronged his neighbor, refuses, when he has it in his power, to make restitution. Were he to weep tears of blood, both the justice and mercy of God would shut out his prayers if he make not his neighbor amends for the injury he has done him"? At any rate, such words emphasise that repentance is not a maudlin sentiment.