Basic text: Psalm 51
Repentance is a central and important topic in the Bible, but it has been so neglected today.
In the NT, the main word for repentance is methane: internal willingness to change.
Repentance for life is a saving grace by which the sinner, having a true sense of sin and a perception of God’s mercy in Christ, is filled with sadness and horror for his sins, abandons them and returns them to God, totally determined to pay. you a new obedience. ? (Bref Catechism of Westminster, p. 87)
In Psalm 51, we can see 4 ways the Spirit operates true repentance
Biblical lament begins with a new sense of sin from sin. In verses 1-2, David uses three different terms to talk about his sin: transgressions (rebellion against God’s supreme authority), wickedness (inner evil that perverts our souls), sin (losing the purpose of glorifying God, and serving our neighbor). Did the Holy Ghost ever open your eyes to see you as you really are through the mirror of God’s law?David saw (see verse 4).
Blood crimes (c. 14) meant the sins of blood that deserved the death penalty (which included the sin of adultery and murder). David specifically confessed his sins and confessed all the guilt of his sins, without blaming others or circumstances. True repentance hides nothing from God and abandons everything to His righteousness.
Repentance contains emotions, but if it is just emotions, it is not a true repentance. Many people may mourn the consequences of sin, but they do not truly repent.
David prays to God to wash him completely from his sin (v. 2), not just an outdoor wash. True repentance is not a quick thing, but a sincere pain in our hearts that leads us to change our lives and reorient our will.
Repentance has a negative side (getting away from sin) and a positive side (looking at Christ and approaching God). David says
Faith is always associated with true repentance and leads the repentant to look to Christ for fear of falling into despair. True repentance is not like that of Esau, who sought with tears but did not trust in God. Repentance is never hidden from God, but, like David, trust in grace: “A contrite and humiliated heart, will ye not despise Him, O God?”(v. 17).
Repentance of the Spirit is always the Restoration performed by the Spirit because of Jesus Christ.