The Wonderful Grace of Repentance
6/13 Reading Portions: Deuteronomy 18; Psalm 105; Isaiah 45; Revelation 15
Online Bible Audio/Readings Links (ESV)
6/13 Reading Portions: Deuteronomy 18; Psalm 105; Isaiah 45; Revelation 15
Psalm 45:22
“Turn to Me and be saved, all the ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other.”
QUOTE
When it comes to repentance, this is my favorite quote from YHVH God. In the King James Version, it says:
Look unto Me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.
This may seem a quandary to some. Is the ESV correct, or is the KJV correct? Do we turn or do we look? My answer: “YES!” Forsaking one version at the detriment to the other may cause us, at times, to lose a fuller understanding of what may be conveyed by our merciful Savior. This verse is often used in evangelism. Mr. Spurgeon was fond of this verse for that very reason, and preached it early on in his ministry. “Turn to Me” and “Look to Me” are both excellent translations of the Hebrew command, פנו־אלי (pe-NOO e-LĪ). It can also be translated, “Face me.” These are three wonderful ways to view our repentance as redeemed souls in Christ. We must keep in mind that repentance is an ongoing grace from God because of the corruptions remaining in our mortal flesh. Moreover, because of those corruptions, the best of our good deeds, the holiest of our spiritual practices, and the finest of our Christian thoughts have enough corruptions in them that they need all of God’s grace. Jesus repented on our behalf at the waters of the Jordan when John attempted to forbid Him, but the Lord Jesus answered,
“Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Matthew 3:15
John baptized with the baptism of repentance. Jesus’ repentance was pure and unstained, though He had nothing to repent of. Our repentance is impure and stained. This is the cornerstone of Christ’s imputed righteousness. He repented on our behalf, and therefore, His repentance is placed on our account.
When we sin or backslide, it may seem to us as what John Bunyan illustrates in his famous allegory, The Holy War— that the presence of Christ has departed from Mansoul. Bunyan painted that picture for two reasons (I believe, in my humble opinion). First, it certainly feels this way to the Christian. Second, it also captures a reality of those Old Testament saints before Christ Jesus sent the forever, indwelling Holy Spirit (John 14:16-17). The reality is that the Lord Jesus promised never to leave us nor forsake us (Heb 13:5). Therefore, when we sin or backslide, when we grieve the Holy Spirit therein, it is only a matter turning around, facing Christ, looking at Him (Isa 45:22), and confessing our sin so we may be cleansed of all unrighteousness (1 Jn 1:9). Hallelujah! What a Savior!