In genuine repentance, no excuse is made for sin because it is “the goodness of God” that leads each one of us to repentance (Romans 2:4) It is impossible to genuinely repent of our sins unless Jesus gives us the gift of repentance. In Acts 5, the apostles proclaim the Jesus whom “God has exalted to His right hand to be the Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins” (verse 31) Ellen White reminds us that “We can no more repent without the Spirit of Christ to awaken the conscience than we can be pardoned without Christ. Christ is the source of every right impulse. He is the only one that can implant in the heart enmity against sin. Every desire for truth and purity, every conviction of our own sinfulness, is an evidence that His Spirit is moving upon our hearts.” (Steps to Christ. p 26).
Repentance Defined
Repentance is an attitude of deep sorrow for sin. We do not want to hurt the One who loves us so much by our sinful actions, attitudes, and choices. Recognizing His enormous love for us, we turn in abhorrence from anything that grieves Him in any way. But repentance involves even more than turning away from sin. I t involves a change of heart. Things we once enjoyed, we now loathe. With David we cry out ” Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence, And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.” (Psalm 51: 10,11) The truly repentance heart longs to please Jesus in every aspect of life. Throughout the book of Acts, repentance and the reception of the Holy Spirit are closely linked. At the conclusion of his sermon on Pentecost, Peter admonished his hearers to “repent and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38). In Acts 3:19,he appeals to us as well as his immediate audience, to ” repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord,” Ellen White defines this refreshing from the presence of the Lord as the latter rain ( Early Writings,p.86). As we enter into repentance–a deep heartfelt sorrow for sin–God prepares our hearts for the reception of the Holy Spirit.
Excerpts from (Day 3 p.30) 10 Days in the Upper Room by Mark A. Finley
Steps to Christ by Ellen G. White
Early Writings by Ellen G. White