Five Reasons For Holy Living

by J. E. Todd (England)

1. BECAUSE I HAVE REPENTED

The new covenant began with repentance. The task of John the Baptist was to prepare the nation of Israel for the coming of the promised Saviour. This he did by preaching repentance, ‘Saying, repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand,’ Matt.3.2. He gave the people the opportunity to respond by undergoing a baptism of repentance. Then the Lord Himself began His ministry with a call to repentance, "The time is fulfilled, the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel," Mk.1.15. The Lord insisted that repentance was necessary to obtain the salvation He offered, ‘Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish,’ Lk.13.3,5. When the completed gospel was first preached by Peter on the day of Pentecost, in reply to the people’s question, ‘men and brethren, what shall we do?, his reply began with ‘Repent,’ Acts 2.37-38.

What is repentance? The word itself literally means to have a change of mind, and is used in relation to sin. Therefore it is a call to the sinner to have a change of attitude toward his or her sin. No longer to regard it as non-existent, or of no consequence, or something to be approved of or even a joke. All these false attitudes can be found among people in the world. To change an attitude which acknowledges that sin is wrong, as being in one’s own life, as in need of forgiveness, as something to be rejected, both the approval and the practice of it. But above all to regard sin as something God abhors and condemns, and thus separates us from Himself. ‘All unrighteousness is sin," 1Jn.5.17. Therefore repentance is to be sorry for one’s sins leading to a sincere desire to be forgiven past sins and to be done with sin in the future. ‘For godly grief produces repentance that leads to salvation and brings no regret,’ 2Cor.7.10, R.S.V.

But the new attitude must show itself in appropriate actions, ‘Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance,’ demanded John the Baptist, Lk.3.8. ‘And the people asked him, saying, What shall we do then?’ Lk.3.10. John’s answer was, not to be selfish but to share our abundance with the needy, not to be greedy but to be honest, not to steal but to be content with what we have, v11-14.

We have in Scripture examples of repentance. The repentance of Judah the brother of Joseph. ‘And Judah said, What shall we say unto my Lord? What shall we speak? … God hath found out the iniquity of thy servants,’ Gen.44.16. Judah, who had made Joseph a slave was willing to become a slave himself rather than repeat his sin, this time against Benjamin. ‘Now therefore, I pray thee, let thy servant abide instead of the lad a bondman to my lord; and let the lad go up with his brethren,’ Gen.44.33.

The repentance of King David, concerning his sin of adultery and murder against Uriah. This is described in his own words in Ps.51. ‘For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. Against Thee (God), Thee only have I sinned, and done this evil in Thy sight,’ v3,4. Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me," v10.

The example of the repentance of the men of Nineveh. An example commended by the Lord, Matt.12.41. The characteristics of their repentance were, a deep sorrow shown by fasting and sackcloth and ashes, and prayer to God, and turning from evil, and fear of divine judgment, Jn.3.5-9.

As believers we have repented of our sins in order to be saved. We have obeyed the gospel, ‘repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ,’ Acts 20.21. As a Christian I have turned my back upon sin and thereby turned my face toward holiness. By my repentance I have turned my back upon the sinful works of the flesh, ‘Immorality, impurity, licentiousness (i.e. a disregard of all control), idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, anger, selfishness, dissension, party spirit, envy, murder, drunkenness, carousing (i.e. drunken parties), and the like,’ Gal.5.19-21, R.S.V. Therefore turning my face toward the holy virtues which are the fruit of the HOLY Spirit within, ‘Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control,’ Gal.5.22-23, R.S.V.

Thus my repentance becomes a continuous reason to live a holy life.

—to be continued (D.V.)