Confession and Repentance: The
Conditions of Revival
Stephen Terry
Commentary for the August 10, 2013
Sabbath School Lesson
“You, therefore, have no excuse, you
who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you
are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. Now
we know that God’s judgment against those who do such things is based on truth.
So when you, a mere human being, pass judgment on them and yet do the same
things, do you think you will escape God’s judgment? Or do you show contempt
for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that
God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?” Romans 2:1-4, NIV
Confession
and repentance are difficult topics in the Christian church. Confession is so because
we think that at some level others need to make confession to us for past
wrongs either real or imagined. We find justification for this in our knowledge
that all have sinned,[i]
therefore the need for confession of those sins is widespread. If that is not
entirely clear, we often stand ready to make the matter clear by pointing out
the sins of those around us. Doesn’t the Bible make clear that confession is the
only way to be saved?[ii]
Shouldn’t we be quick then to point out the sins that need to be confessed in
order for that to happen?
On one level
this seems to make sense. However, there is a definite demarcation between a
general call to repentance like the one issued by Peter in Acts 2:38 and
condemnation of specific individual sins. The former we may freely do, but the
latter brings us dangerously close to the actions of the one known as “the
accuser of the brethren.”[iii]
In spite of the sin all around Him, even Christ did not see His mission as one
of condemnation.[iv] But
if we do not condemn sin where we find it, how will anyone repent of that sin
and be saved?
First of
all, it is not our work to bring others to repentance. It is God’s. As the
passage above from Romans, chapter two tells us, it is God’s kindness that leads
us to repentance. Sometimes we act like cowboys (and cowgirls) driving the herd
of sinners and forcing them through the narrow gate.[v]
Whipping the cattle to frenzy with hearty accusations and denunciations, we
exhaust ourselves physically and spiritually pushing against the resisting
livestock. But is this God’s way?
In the past
when I have had the opportunity to go horseback riding, I have noticed that the
horses would always pick up speed when they were headed back to the stable. No
matter how much we may have had to urge them along the trail before, once they
knew they were headed home, they no longer needed any prodding from us. They knew
there was fresh fodder waiting, and they would soon be free of both riding gear
and riders. They knew the way home, and even if we dropped the reins, they
would follow the right path to get there. At that point, the rider becomes
superfluous. We were just along for the ride.
Perhaps it
is like that for those who need salvation. It is not a matter of pushing and
shoving to get everyone headed in the right direction. It is simply a matter of
letting them know where home is and what is waiting there for them. Maybe that
is why Peter did not even tell his listeners to confess their sins.[vi]
He went straight to the issue of repentance. The word in the Greek for
repentance is metanoia and means a
change of direction. In other words, Peter invited his listeners to stop going
away from God and instead begin coming toward Him. He was inviting them to come
home.
Now for some
it may have been a long time, if ever, since they were headed toward God. These
might feel it would be difficult to find the way. Sometimes those with
questionable motives prey on such innocents and try to direct their spiritual
experience. But God has already provided an answer for their need. As Peter
went on to say in his Pentecostal sermon, those who turn toward God will
receive the Holy Spirit.
Peter does
not leave anyone out; anyone who turns toward God receives the Spirit without
exception. That Spirit is all they need to guide them safely home to God. Jesus
promised this gift and said the Spirit would guide us into all truth.[vii]
This does not leave anything out does it? All means all. We can safely trust
the Spirit to reveal to us everything we need to know. There is no secret,
hidden knowledge that can only be imparted to us by certain individuals who
claim to be “in the know” about such things.
Some who
want to control the experience of others claim to do so out of a concern about “fake”
repentance. They want to be the inspectors to make sure that everyone has truly
repented. However, there is no such thing as fake repentance. Either someone repents
or they don’t. There is no possibility of deceiving God about this. Perhaps the
whole concern about fake repentance is people are afraid they themselves might
be deceived by someone’s repentance. But why would they worry about this? There
is nothing to be gained by deceiving other sinners about one’s repentance. It
is a path that can only lead to death and not life. Maybe the only reason they
might do this is if Christians are showing favoritism and giving material
advantages to those who claim to be Christians.
Jesus taught
that this is not how we are to be. He pointed out that though there were many
widows in Israel during a great famine, God cared for one who was from Sidon,
not Israel; He also pointed out that though there were many lepers in Israel
during the time of Naaman, God only healed that Syrian.[viii]
He also told us to do all that was asked of us by others and more.[ix]
There is little room for favoritism in these instructions. Perhaps if there was
no material advantage to doing so, there would be no enticement to fake
repentance, especially if the path was difficult. After all, who would choose
to suffer persecution[x]
if there were no material advantage? Only those who were led by the Holy Spirit
might willingly take such a path.
When we turn
about and head toward God, we will find that we are moving against traffic. It
may seem to us that we are the only one going in our direction. We may be
tempted to look about for the “One Way” traffic signs pointing the opposite
direction from which we are traveling. This alone may make our path seem
disagreeable to us and even fearful. If we try to navigate the way on our own
or even let others, well-meaning as they might seem, guide us, we may
eventually find ourselves headed back on the path away from God.
There is a
way to stay on track toward heaven. We must listen to the Guide we have been
provided. When we read the road map, the Bible, we must listen for His voice
speaking to our understanding. As we become accustomed to that voice we will
learn to trust it even when what it says makes absolutely no sense. It was because
of that trust that Abraham was able to take his son, Isaac, to Mount Moriah as
a sacrifice.[xi]
He knew that God would not lead him astray.
Jesus said
that the relationship His followers would have would be like this. He compared
it to sheep knowing who the Shepherd was and that He was trustworthy. His voice
was enough for them to trust His leading.[xii]
In the same way, as we come to know God’s voice we will trust Him and gladly
follow the Spirit. We will be less and less inclined to trust our salvation to
the will and control of others who are just as much in need of God as we are.
Instead, we will be drawn by God’s love and kindness to seek to be ever in His
presence and always to walk by His light with no human middleman through whom
that light might shine less brightly.
Some might
feel it is dangerous to trust ourselves to God in this way. But nothing is
safer than snuggling under the wings of such a God.[xiii]
As the horses eagerly headed home to their stable, where they knew they would
be provided for, I feel my feet picking up their pace as I head toward home and
find myself eagerly listening for God’s voice. Perhaps, even now, He is waiting
on the pathway and watching to see His prodigals safely home.[xiv]
