Motivation for Repentance When Feeling Judged or Discouraged
Motivation for Repentance When Feeling Judged or Discouraged
The biblical concept of repentance is closely tied to the idea of turning away from sin and towards God. In 2 Corinthians 7:9, Paul writes that "godly sorrow" leads to repentance, which is a change of mind and heart that results in a new life [1]. This understanding of repentance is echoed in the writings of the early Church Fathers, who saw it as a necessary step towards salvation.
According to John Calvin, repentance involves a "change of mind and purpose" that is accompanied by a turning away from sin and towards God [7]. This change is not just a superficial adjustment, but a deep-seated transformation that affects the heart and the entire person. Calvin notes that the biblical prophets often called for repentance by urging people to "break up their fallow ground" and "circumcise their hearts" (Jer. 4:1-4) [7].
The motivation for repentance can come from various sources. One tradition holds that the long-suffering of God can lead people to repentance, as they reflect on their sin and the mercy they have received [4]. The goodness of God is also cited as a motivation for repentance, as seen in Romans 2:4. On the other hand, the experience of judgment and suffering can also prompt people to repent, as they recognize the consequences of their sin [5].
In the Jewish tradition, Maimonides writes that when people experience misfortune, they should see it as a message from God intended to motivate them to repent [5]. This view is echoed in the writings of the Puritan commentator Matthew Henry, who notes that God's judgments are intended to "convince us of our sins, humble us for them, and reduce us to our right minds" [6].
The New Testament also emphasizes the importance of repentance in the face of judgment. In Revelation 2:16, Jesus warns the church in Pergamos to "repent, or else I am coming to you quickly, and I will make war against them with the sword of my mouth" [3]. This call to repentance is not limited to individuals, but can also be directed towards communities and churches.
When people feel judged or discouraged, they may struggle to repent. However, the biblical tradition encourages them to persevere and turn towards God. According to I John 3:21, those who have confidence before God are those whose hearts do not condemn them [2]. This confidence is not based on self-righteousness, but on the knowledge that God is merciful and forgiving.
The early Church Fathers also addressed the issue of discouragement and repentance. Tertullian notes that repentance is a "divine" gift that allows people to turn away from sin and towards God [8]. Augustine, on the other hand, warns against the dangers of despair, which can lead people to give up on repentance and succumb to their sinful desires [9].
Sources
- 2 Corinthians “I now rejoice, not that you were made sorry, but that you were made sorry to repentance. For you were made sorry in a godly way, that you might suffer loss by us in nothing. -- 2 Corinthians 7:9”
- I John “I John 3:21 (Geneva1599) — Beloued, if our heart condemne vs not, then haue we boldnes toward God.”
- Revelation “Repent therefore, or else I am coming to you quickly, and I will make war against them with the sword of my mouth. -- Revelation 2:16”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Repentance — What it is -- Isa 45:22; Mt 6:19-21; Ac 14:15; 2Co 5:17; Col 3:2; 1Th 1:9; Heb 12:1,2. Commanded to all by God -- Eze 18:30-32; Ac 17:30. Commanded by Christ -- Re 2:5,16; 3:3. Given by God -- Ac 11:18; 2Ti 2:25. Christ came to call sinners to -- Mt 9:13. Christ exalted to give -- Ac 5:31. By the operation of the Holy Spirit -- Zec 12:10. Called repentance to life -- Ac 11:18. Called repentance to salvation -- 2Co 7:10. We should be led to, by The long-suffering of God. -- Ge 6:3; 1Pe 3:20; 2Pe 3:9. The goodness of God. -- Ro 2:4. The chastisements of Go”
- Mishneh Torah (Maimonides) (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Mishneh Torah (Maimonides), Mishneh Torah%2C Fasts 1:3: Conversely, should the people fail to cry out [to God] and sound the trumpets, and instead say, "What has happened to us is merely a natural phenomenon and this difficulty is merely a chance occurrence," 1 Rather than seeing their difficulty as part of a Divinely structured plan to motivate their repentance. this is a cruel conception of things, 2 Misfortune is definitely not pleasant. Nevertheless, when one conceives of it as a message from God, intended to motivate a change in one's conduct, one can appreciate that, ultimately, its inte”
- Joel (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Joel 2:12: We have here an earnest exhortation to repentance, inferred from that desolating judgment described and threatened in the foregoing verses: Therefore now turn you to the Lord. 1. "Thus you must answer the end and intention of the judgment; for it was sent for this end, to convince you of your sins, to humble you for them, to reduce you to your right minds and to your allegiance." God brings us into straits, that he may bring us to repentance and so bring us to himself. 2. "Thus you may stay the progress of the judgment. Things are bad with you, but thus you may prev”
- CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 58: the circumcision of the heart, points to the internal affections. But there is no passage better fitted to teach us the genuine nature of repentance than the following: “If thou wilt return, O Israel, saith the Lord, return unto me.” “Break up your fallow ground, and sow not among thorns. Circumcise yourselves to the Lord, and take away the foreskins of your heart,” ( Jer. 4:1-4 ). See how he declares to them that it will be of no avail to commence the study of righteousness unless impiety shall first have been eradicated from thei”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “ANF Vol 3: Tertullian — CHAP. I.--OF HEATHEN REPENTANCE.: Repentance, men understand, so far as nature is able, to be an emotion of the mind arising from disgust' at some previously cherished worse sentiment: that kind of men I mean which even we ourselves were in days gone by--blind, without the Lord's light. From the reason of repentance, however, they are just as far as they are from the Author of reason Himself. Reason, in fact, is a thing of God, inasmuch as there is nothing which God the Maker of all has not provided, disposed, ordained by reason--nothing which He has not willed should b”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 7: Augustine — Homilies on John — Chapter VII. 40-53; VIII. 1-11. (part 7): what I like; let me give loose reins to my lusts, let me gratify the desires of my soul. Why this? Because God is merciful, God is good, God is kind. These men are in danger by hope. And those are in danger from despair, who, having fallen into grievous sins, fancying that they can no more be pardoned upon repentance, and believing that they are without doubt doomed to damnation, do say with themselves, We are already destined to be damned, why not do what we please? with the disposition of gladiators destine”