More Thomas Watson for you. He begins his discussion of repentance by explaining what counterfeit repentance is.
The first deceit of repentance is legal terror. If pain and trouble were sufficient to repentance, then the damned in hell should be most penitent, for they are most in anguish. Repentance depends upon a change of heart.
The “change of heart” he alludes to here is not what we intend when we say, “I was ready to quit my job, but had a change of heart.” No, this is a change of nature.
Another deceit about repentance is resolution against sin. Resolutions against sin may arise:
- From present extremity; not because sin is sinful, but because it is painful. This resolution will vanish.
- From fear of future evil.
- The leaving of many sinful ways. Sin may be parted with, yet without repentance.
He concludes the discussion with this gem:
True leaving of sin is when the acts of sin cease from the infusion of a principle of grace, as the air ceases to be dark from the infusion of light.
How about that?
Matthew Henry, in a sermon on the subject of the Christian home as a “little church,” said this of the nature of a church:
There are three things necessary to the well-being of a church, and which are most considerable in the constitution of it. Those are doctrine, worship and discipline; where the truths of Christ are professed and taught, the ordinances of Christ administered and observed, and due care taken to put the laws of Christ in execution among all who profess themselves his subjects, and this under the conduct and inspection of a gospel ministry; there is a church.
Are you a part of such a body of believers?
(As quoted in Family Religion, 2008, Christian Focus Publications.)
In his book The Doctrine of Repentance, Puritan pastor Thomas Watson begins by discussing the relationship between faith and repentance in the life of the believer, and specifically where the convert’s repentance at the time of salvation is concerned. Many have touched on this topic, but Watson puts it in words that are easy to grasp.
I shall not dispute the priority, whether faith or repentance goes first. Doubtless repentance shows itself first in a Christian’s life. Yet I am apt to think that the seeds of faith are first wrought in the heart. As when a taper (candle) is brought into a room the light shows itself first, but the taper was before the light, so we see the fruits of repentance first, but the beginnings of faith were there before.
That which inclines me to think that faith is seminally in the heart before repentance is because repentance, being a grace, must be exercised by one that is living. Now, how does the soul live but by faith? ‘The just shall live by his faith’ (Heb. 10:38). Therefore there must be first some seeds of faith in the heart of a penitent, otherwise it is a dead repentance and so of no value.
Whether faith or repentance goes first, however, I am sure that repentance is of such importance that there is no being saved without it.
I am so moved by Watson’s simple style of communicating profound truths, as demonstrated here. Next up, the good pastor teaches us what are the hallmarks of counterfeit repentance.
I had the opportunity last week to attend the 2009 Shepherds’ Conference, which is hosted by Grace Community Church of Sun Valley, CA. As always, the body of believers there did an outstanding job of hosting the almost 3,000 men who attend the conference each year. If you’ve never had the chance to attend, know that you would be hard pressed to find such wonderful hospitality at other conferences.
The speakers for the plenary sessions were John MacArthur, Tom Pennington, Rick Holland, Al Mohler (pictured above), Steven Lawson, and Phil Johnson. You can access free audio from all plenary sessions, as well as the breakout sessions, by joining the Shepherds’ Fellowship (free to join) and adding the free downloads to your media library.
While on the plane headed for Los Angeles last week, I started reading Thomas Watson’s The Doctrine of Repentance. (The book, from Banner of Truth, is not out of print, but I was unable to find it new anywhere when I was looking for it, so I purchased a used copy online.) I say started reading, because I didn’t get very far into the book before I had to close it and allow what I’d read to soak in.
I’ll share a few quotes from the introductory Epistle to the Reader here:
The two great graces essential to a saint in this life are faith and repentance. These are the two wings by which he flies to heaven.
Repentance is never out of season; it is of as frequent use as the artificer’s tool or the soldier’s weapon.
How happy it would be if we were more deeply affected with sin, and our eyes did swim in their orb. We may clearly see the Spirit of God moving in the waters of repentance, which though troubled, are yet pure. Moist tears dry up sin and quench the wrath of God.
I’ll write more on this book as I continue to read it. If you are so inclined, find yourself a copy and read along. You won’t regret it.
Friend Erik Raymond recently shared a quote from John Calvin’s Institutes of the Christian Religion on the subject of prayer. Have a look.
The blog A Boomer in the Pew is giving away a calfskin-bound ESV Study Bible next month. You can find out how to enter on this page.
A calfskin Bible, given reasonable care, will survive frequent use while just getting softer with time. I’ve not had the chance to look one over very much, but the ESV Study Bible has been very positively received.
by Doug on February 23, 2009
in Doctrine
Harold O. J. Brown (1933-2007), an American theologian, on heresy and orthodoxy:
Today heresy and orthodoxy have changed roles. It is fashionable, not dangerous, to be a heretic, and dull, if not unsafe, to be orthodox.
(As quoted by Dr. Albert Mohler. At 16:35 in the sermon.)
