Repentance, The Doctrine of (part 2)

I'm still in the tale end of chapter 3 heading into chapter 4. I'm reading about confession's place in repentance. Here is my first thought toward this passage, with many more following:

Confession is a true friend's task

Oil and perfume make the heart glad,
and the sweetness of a friend comes from his earnest counsel. Proverbs 27:9

I have had several good friends. People I just enjoy being around. People that laugh at my stupid jokes, and understand my unique way of venting conflicts. They just like the way I currently am and are patient with me while I become like Him. I bet you, dear reader, have had some of these relationships, too. Life giving, soul refreshing, breaths of life. Cling to these guys and be close so sin won't be. My point: a good friendship will have the elements of light so deeply ingrained in it that there is no shadow in which to hide. Confession will be a part of living life in community with men you trust and love. Page 37 drills this idea home.

Back to the Book
"They who will not confess their sin as David did, that they may be pardoned, shall confess their sin as Achan did, that they may be stoned." (pg. 32) I think this is what will happen on the last day during that "Every knee shall bow..." celebration. Honestly, in my misunderstanding, I always wondered how someone could confess Christ then be sentenced to eternity in Hell. The root of my failed logic lies in my thinking of salvation as a recipe: 2 parts "Jesus is Lord", 2 parts "Jesus is savior" and presto... Christian Lasagna. Watson, I think, is attacking this simplistic view of salvation as well. Not that its complicated, but it is. Make sense? Oh Jesus, help us...

Sin
Katie, like Eve, is responsible for all my failings...Sorry, babe.
In my mind, I extenuate my sins.
I blame shift, mainly towards God.
And I'm a damn good complainer!
I don't speak
My eyes often darken my soul.
I need the light and confession helps it shine through.

I love Watson's usage of gross similes. Confession is like: lancing an abscess, letting out bad blood from a vein, and opening a dung gate.

Confession of sin is agreeing with truth. I can't deny or justify my sin. I can't explain why it happened. There is no logic. Sin is insane; to rationalize it only wounds the victims more, confuses the thinker, and makes a fan of modern psychology. Being a sinner (one who sins) is needing Christ.

I love the promises associated with confession on pages 35&36. If I confess God will be faithful and just to forgive.
"...draw up an indictment against yourself and plead guilty, and you shall be sure of mercy."

Auricular...That's another cool word.

Ok, I hope you worship Christ more through reading this. Thanks, friends.

In Christ Alone,

David

For Katie:

"I love you," said Katie.
"And I love you," replied David, as they snuggled as deep in the covers as they are in love. All of David's days are lovely because of his wonderful wife. He doesn't know how gracious God really has been to him by loaning her to him. All of their troubles are kind of worth it, in the right lighting, and together.

The Doctrine of Repentance

Thomas Watson wrote a bunch of good stuff. Really he did. At Katie's prodding, I started looking for a book for us to devour. Nolan, my bro-in-law, was reading The Doctrine of Repentance and Facebooked about it. I took the bait when I considered how difficult it is to weigh true repentance in my life.

I just feel like so many modern authors just aren't as thought provoking as some of these old dead guys. I love that I have to harass my dictionary app while reading most pages. You know... I'm pretty sure his education would have been double of any given modern doctorate degree. Something else: he didn't have TV. Which, through my many hours of observation, has convinced me it is the devil's box. 

On to Repentance

My goal in writing this blog is to re-communicate some of the things I'm learning through this book. And secondly: because I mainly learn from regurgitating information.

Observations

I think it is important to note that there is nothing in the Christian life that is an equation. I could conceivably follow every step Watson lays out and never repent. Or I could feel terribly about my sin and again never repent. But, nevertheless, Watson gives an excellent starting point for the deep, soul saving half-act of repentance. The other half is faith in Christ, Amen!

This is probably oversimplified, but I'm thinking repentance is aligning our spiritual vision to view our actions as Jesus views them. Then calling them what they are: sin. Leaving these sin then for the hand of Jesus. Trading dust for living water. 

"The purpose in a man's heart is like deep water, but a man of understanding will draw it out." (Proverbs 20:5) I'm still learning what this means, but I think it can be said of one who is trying to truly repent.

Chapter 1

12: I love that he isn't going to dive into the "What came first?" argument, and in a short sweet paragraph says what many have said in verbose books. Of course, Watson probably has read all those books. On page 14, he kind of restates this in his two points on how repentance is wrought. 

13: "Repentance is a pure gospel grace... The law required personal, perfect, and perpetual obedience." 

Chapter 2

16: 

    It is a great matter to leave a sin. Then Watson says many people would leave a child before some sins. I thought, "No way! I would give anything for AK and Spero!" Then I thought to the times I have failed to perpetual struggles throughout the years. I can see his point. Another thought: How many people in the world have left families and loved ones to chase after romance (lust), money, power, etc. Yeah, we people choose sin first. This is more evidence that page 12 is correct. 

"An old sin may be left to entertain a new..." Yeap, this is why many a smoker quits and gains 50 lbs. (I wonder why I have and extra 50 lbs. then!?) 

Seriously though, the path is wider on the edge of hell than at the start of life. 

17: "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."

Chapter 3 

"Sin must first be seen before it can be wept for." Jesus said it this way, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance." Lord Christ, will you give us holy sight to see our sin like you see it?

19:

    "A woman may as well expect to have a child without pangs as one can have repentance without sorrow." Katie went naturally with Spero. No Tylenol,  no epidural, no morphine. Just pressure, pain, and a little screaming. "IT HURTS!" is specifically what she demanded everyone know while Spero was crowning. 

Repentance will have sorrow like Katie had Spero.

22: 

    Fiducial. I like that word. Say it out loud. It means: having the nature of trust. Godly sorrow that leads to repentance has the nature of trust. Sorrow is sorrow, not repentance. Repentance is a mixture of part sorrow, some other good stuff, and part trust in Christ. 

    Ok, so this is a stretch and a little random, but follow me here. Trust is being sure what you hope in is going to be there, is unchanging, and is powerful enough to be trusted. Therefore you, dear reader, cannot have true trust in something that is not committed, right? You cannot have trust in something that is not powerful, right? This is my point: Marriage has been given these qualities: Commitment and Love based on the truth of the Gospel (Power). And should be a safe place for godly sorrow, then confession, and then repentance to take place without the fear of rejection. Matthew 18 is the standard I'm thinking of here. 

That's enough for now! Much love to my singular, soul, at home with the kids while I'm at work typing this, blog follower: Katie.

-David