Lenten Devotional, Day 3: True Repentance, True Gospel

Dear Saints,

A major theme of Lent is summed up in Mark 1:15: "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the Gospel."  We see both ideas loud & clear in today's readings: Psalm 51 (for a third time?), Romans 1:8–17, John 4:1–11.

TRUE REPENTANCE:

Repentance in the original Greek Text is the word "metanoia."  From it we get our word "metamorphosis."  What is true repentance?  Well, in a “sciencey” sorta poetry, something like this:

Have sated myself on the wormwood and gall,

And taken foul form of a pest.

Yet I would turn by Your grace and be:

A flower in the sky —

Yea, a nectared butterfly!

Two things seem necessary for a good confession: Really "owning" our sin and really desiring transformation.  David in his quintessential prayer of repentance (Psalm 51) plainly & boldly declares both.  He makes ten confessions of sin; e.g., "I sinned and have done what is evil in Your sight" (V.4).  And he makes ten requests for transformation; e.g., "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me (V.10).

Let us beware, beloved, of couched, minimal, under-confessions which tend to seek only alleviation of consequences.  Whereas it is full confession, the whole truth, that seeks not only forgiveness but restoration and transformation.

TRUE GOSPEL:

Now, in the Romans reading Paul states: "I am not ashamed of the Gospel" (V.1:16).  Of what of the Gospel is he not ashamed?  That it left him without a boast!  Why? Because "the Gospel is the power of God for salvation" (V.1:16).

Let us think again of Psalm 51.  I wonder what many of us modern hearers hear in it?  Are we inclined to think, perhaps: 'That's a bit dramatic, groveling, over-the-top; pull yourself together, man, and have some self-esteem.'  I think we do feel that.  But our concern would not be for David; our concern would be ourselves.  

That is, we don't like to think of "sin as utterly sinful" (Romans 7:13).  We prefer to downgrade sin to mistakes, momentary lapses, or weaknesses such as are common to all.  But David "owns" his with plain, clear, unequivocal words: transgression, iniquity, sin, evil, bloodguilt.  He spares not the gravity but only the graphication.

Again, Paul isn't ashamed of the Gospel.  That Gospel which David pleaded poetically, Paul made declarative: He too knew his sin & death, and he knew it required saving not self-help, sacrifice not support.

[This is so important and may take meditation (thinking deeply and with prayer and with time) to get: Ours is a Divine Gospel of sacrifice (2 Corinthians 5:21) and saving (Romans 7:24–25a) versus a man-centered gospel-lite of religious support (Jeremiah 6:14, I Thessalonians 5:3) and self-help achievement (Philippians 3:9).  These are two different gospels — one true and sufficient, one seemingly true but falling short.  Yes, please look up the Verses.  If need be wrestle with the contrast, and may you come to find rest for your soul].

Said another way:

"Jesus is able to save to the uttermost" (Hebrews 7:25).  Period, full stop.  He does not simply look on sympathetically, cheer, and staff an aid station while we hurdle and run to save ourselves.

Said thirdly:

Jesus saves!  All glory to God!  He doesn't half save, half glory to man.

The Very Best in/is Christ,

tIM