sf1027 - The Evidence Of True Repentance (2 Corinthians 7 11)
2 Corinthians 7:9-11
Introduction
We have spent the past three weeks looking at the Biblical doctrine of repentance.
Week One – The Nature of True Repentance
2 Corinthians 7:9-10 (NASB) I now rejoice, not that you were made sorrowful, but that you were made sorrowful to the point of repentance; for you were made sorrowful according to the will of God, so that you might not suffer loss in anything through us. 10 For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death.
Week Two – The Necessity of True Repentance
Luke 13:5 (NASB) "I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish."
Week Three – Removing Roadblocks to Repentance
Jeremiah 5:3 (NASB) O LORD, do not Your eyes look for truth? You have smitten them, But they did not weaken; You have consumed them, But they refused to take correction. They have made their faces harder than rock; They have refused to repent.
Week Four – The Evidence of True Repentance
What are the internal and external evidences that a person has experience true repentance (2 Cor 7:10)?
1A. Earnestness for Holy Living
To flee the very presence of sin
2 Timothy 2:22 (NASB) Now flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.
To eagerly pursue righteousness and the things of God!
Matthew 6:33 (NASB) “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
2A. Vindication of Yourself
From “apologia” – to speak in defense
To judge your own sin so that you may be blameless before man and God.
Ephesians 5:11 (NASB) Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them
Acts 3:19 (NASB) Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord
3A. Indignation Toward Sin
Righteous indignation, hatred of sin
Psalms 7:11 (NASB) God is a righteous judge, And a God who has indignation every day.
4A. Fear of God
Proverbs 28:14 (NASB) How blessed is the man who fears always, But he who hardens his heart will fall into calamity.
Fear of God’s judgment on sin
Matthew 10:28 (NASB) "Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
Fear God’s discipline on the sinning believer
Hebrews 12:6 (NASB) FOR THOSE WHOM THE LORD LOVES HE DISCIPLINES, AND HE SCOURGES EVERY SON WHOM HE RECEIVES."
“A repenting person fears and sins not, a graceless person sins and fears not.” Watson, 94
5A. Longing for the Presence and Power of God
He longs for a right relationship with Christ.
He longs for power over sin.
He longs for final peace.
Jeremiah 29:13 (NASB) You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.
6A. Zeal for Righteousness
“Zeal quickens the pursuit after glory. Zeal encountering difficulty, is emboldened by opposition and tramples upon danger. Zeal makes a repenting soul persist in godly sorrow against all discouragements and oppositions whatsoever. Zeal carries a man above himself for God’s glory… As fear is a bridle to sin, so zeal is a spur to duty.” Watson, 94-95.
7A. Avenging of Wrong
The desire to see justice done!
Willing to set right a wrong no matter the personal cost
Sometimes doing the right thing will be the most difficult and painful path.
8A. Be Innocent in the Matter
Demonstrated the genuine nature of your repentance by your purity of life
1 Peter 2:12 (NASB) Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers, they may because of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God in the day of visitation.
Application - Comfort for the Repenting Sinner
Your sins are pardoned
1 John 1:9 (NASB) If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
“When a spring of repentance is open in the heart, a spring of mercy is open in heaven.” Watson, 97.
Your sins are taken away
Jeremiah 31:34 (NASB) …I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more."
You will have peace in life and death
Psalms 23:4 (NASB) Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.