A Self-Loather
True repentance is a daily turning of the soul further from sin and nearer to God, requiring a heartfelt loathing of sin and a daily dying to sin.
Thomas Brooks emphasizes that true repentance is a continuous process of turning away from sin and drawing closer to God. It involves a genuine recognition of sin, deep sorrow, and a heartfelt loathing of both sin and oneself. Repentance requires a transformation that cleanses the mind, heart, and life, challenging the natural tendency of self-love and self-exaltation. Brooks highlights that true repentance is about dying to sin daily and living for God, which can be a difficult journey for those who are accustomed to self-admiration.
Text
True repentance is a daily turning of the soul further
and further from sin--and a daily turning of the soul
nearer and nearer to God.
True repentance includes . . .
a true sense of sin,
a deep sorrow for sin,
a hearty loathing of sin, and
a holy shame and blushing for sin.
To repent is to make . . .
a clean head and a clean heart;
a clean lip and a clean life.
To repent is for a man to loathe himself, as well as his sin.
Is this easy for man, who is so great a self-lover, and so
great a self-exalter, and so great a self-admirer--to
become a self-loather? To repent is to cross sinful self,
it is to walk contrary to sinful self, yes, it is to revenge
a man's self upon himself.
True repentance lies in a daily dying to sin, and in a
daily living to Him who lives forever.
Sermon Outline
- True Repentance
- Components of True Repentance
- The Result of Repentance
- A Clean Heart and Life
- A Daily Dying to Sin
- A Daily Living to God
Key Quotes
“To repent is to make a clean head and a clean heart; a clean lip and a clean life.” — Thomas Brooks
“To repent is to cross sinful self, it is to walk contrary to sinful self, yes, it is to revenge a man's self upon himself.” — Thomas Brooks
“True repentance lies in a daily dying to sin, and in a daily living to Him who lives forever.” — Thomas Brooks
Application Points
- As you consider your own sin, remember that true repentance requires a heartfelt loathing of sin.
- Repentance is not just a one-time event, but a daily process of turning from sin and towards God.
- True repentance leads to a clean heart and life, as you daily die to sin and live to God.