True & False Repentance

originally written by Charles Finney, paraphrased by Mike DeSario

Permission is granted to reproduce this tract in its entirety.

In scripture we are commanded to repent of sin and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation. Acts 17:30-31

But the Bible clearly describes two kinds of sorrow for sin. One that works TRUE repentance unto True Salvation, and the other that Works Death.

In other words, scripture is warning us that FALSE REPENTANCE is possible.

In our discussion we will show: What true repentance is, how it may be known. What false repentance is and how it may be known.

Why are churches overrun with unprofitable professors of religion? Why do multitudes suppose themselves to be 'saved' who have NEVER abandon sin or obeyed the gospel. Why are modern churches FULL of 'Hearers' and not 'Doers'?

Either the Bible is false or something is seriously wrong with the presentation of it's Truth.

Let's examine the evidence.

What is True Repentance?

True Repentance creates a change of the character and attitude toward the nature of sin. You now understand why sin is worthy of God's punishment and how Powerful Grace is in destroying it's power over you. Unlike the devils who ' believe' and tremble.

James 2:19. True Faith produces change.

The repented soul has a change of opinion regarding sin. Without it, he is no better off than the devils, who 'believe' and tremble in fear!  

True repentance brings about a corresponding change of feeling toward sin. The convert now sees sin as abhorrent, despicable, deplorable in God's sight. Psa97:10, Prv8:13

It brings tears to his eyes to see others going down the path of destruction. His heart is set aflame to warn them and share the wonders of God's forgiveness and Love. O Mercy on Mercy to save such a sinner as I! Rom8:1

Genuine Repentance will produce a reformation of conduct. "Not to be repented of!" The text says. Meaning the Love of Sin is abandoned. To return would be like a dog returning to its own vomit. 2Pet2:18

True repentance works a genuine hatred for sin. When the new convert is exposed to the false professors, still loving their 'sin', he is grieved because God is being dishonored. To the truly converted, Grace is NEVER License, But Power to Walk in the Newness of Life! Eph2:20, Rom6:4

How do you recognize False Repentance?

False repentance is founded in selfishness. The opinion is left unchanged. The person may feel remorse (sorrow of world) but it does not lead to a hearty renunciation of sin. There is no conviction in the heart to pursue after holiness. Grace is license and way for God to 'make up' human shortcomings. Saving others from the corrupting influence of sin is out of the question because 'no ones' perfect so who am I to judge? James5:20, Jude:23

The disposition toward sin is unchanged. You may abstain from some sins, not out of abhorrence, but from dread of consequences. Such 'feeling' works death, the text says. When someone mentions sin you immediately begin making excuses to cover it. Instead of an open hearted sensibility and frankness confessing sin, you claim forgiveness by grace even while you continue in willing sin. Heb 10:26-30

Such Repentance works Death.

False repentance produces only a partial reformation of conduct. The heart is not changed. The false convert will continue to practice certain sins without regard to their severity in God's sight. Becoming a 'Partaker' of the Divine nature is unknown to him. 2Pet1:4

False Repentance is temporary. Because the sorrow of the world works death, the unrepentant soul clings to the old ways. The foundations of sin are not broken up and the love of it still prevails. The false convert will easily return to the old ways. Sin was never purged from the heart and its power was never broken.

False Repentance leads to self-righteousness, false security and hardens the heart.

The false convert may know that Jesus is the only Savior of sinners, confess his name before men and even perform good works in His name. But the motivation is wrong. Hope is based on dead works not Christ's redeeming power and Love. It breeds a legalistic religion based on assumption. The person is led to believe they are saved because they were sorry for sin, not because they abandon it. Eventually the heart becomes hard and more difficult to reach, as the conscious is seared with the hot iron of delusion.

The true Convert loves the Word of God and mellows more and more under its influence. His heart is excited to see sinners pulled from the fires and Walking in the Light. As the light of truth comes to bare upon his soul, he tenderly accepts the Way of the Cross and rest his hope in Jesus as Lord and Master forever.

False Repentance is transient and temporary.

The false convert is ashamed before men and as his heart grows ever more callous to the Word, he returns to his wordily ways without remorse.

Examine the evidence of your Repentance and compare it to the Word of God. Are you producing the Fruit of true Salvation? Can you 'Prove' that Christ is in you, working out that salvation in Truth. Don't be among the 'Disqualified' on Judgment Day, crying  'Lord, Lord!' Do your first works over again, Repent and Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ for true salvation.

Conclusion:

Among the many reasons for the deplorable conditions in modern churches can be traced to this discussion.

They have mistaken Conviction for Conversion and the Sorrow of the world for that godly sorrow that worketh repentance unto salvation, not to be repented of. We can also now understand why so many professing Christians feel that it is a GREAT burden to follow the Lord.

Many in the church do not understand that true repentance lead to an abhorrence of the sinful conduct you formerly loved. Walking toward the Light of Jesus raises the young convert's sensibility toward sin. Since the old things were 'crucified' with Christ and Newness of Life has come, desire, motivations and attitudes are Transformed by His Grace.

Gal2:20,  Eph 4:17-24

The parable of the Sower may help us understand this phenomenon. Jesus explained in Luke8:11-15 that the Seed is the Word of God and when it is sown into the hearts of men it doesn't always take root. When it falls on rocky ground it represents those who hear the Word, receive it with joy, believe for a while and then fall away to temptation. .

This is much like the sorrow of the world. They hear the Word, are distressed over their sinful condition and respond. But love of the world interferes and chokes out the Truth before it can produce fruit. Repentance wasn't genuine because the love of sin was never destroyed by the Grace of God.

This explains why some professing Christians are afraid to give themselves completely to the Lord. They are still in LOVE with their sin! To submit wholly to the Cross is out of the question. They want salvation without Lordship.

But the true convert submits with joy in his heart. Drawing closer to the Lord is his deepest desire. The Word was sown into his heart with conviction and has burst forth into full bloom.

In this we can also see there is a radical difference between the true convert and the outright hypocrite. The pretender loves the world and enjoys sin when he returns to it. He may experience some apprehension and remorse over his loss of character, but his secret desires are fulfilled. He wallows with joy because he has returned to his first real love. 2Pet2:22

Not so with the backslidden Christian. He loses his first love, falls prey to temptation and goes into sin. But he does NOT LOVE it. It is bitter and wretched, like an unhappy son away from home. He finds no joy in the world. He may continue for a time, delivered over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, (1Tim1:20) but his Spirit can never find solace except in the Lord. And like the Prodigal, unless he repents, he is lost forever. (Luke15:11-32)

Have any of these admonitions described you? Do you still love your sin? Does it's corruption influence still have power over your flesh? Perhaps you have experienced the sorrow of the world that works death. Genuine repentance produces change.

When Christ comes to dwell in your heart by His Holy Spirit the foundations of sin are broken up. The Divine nature is infused into your soul and you become a new creature born again of the incorruptible seed. 1Pet1:23-23

You open your eyes and look around with an abhorrence toward sin you have not previously known. You understand the Great price God had to pay to purchase your soul from death and you grasp the depths of His Grace like never before.

To claim such a Wondrous Grace as merely a License to continue in sin, is denial of it Power to Save the Soul. As was said by the preachers of old,

"That wouldn't be Grace, it would be a Disgrace!"

Where do you stand today in light of God's Word? Have you been deceiving yourself, living under false assumptions that you are saved by 'knowing'? Examine your heart and make the choice. Will you continue in your sin or seek the godly sorrow that worketh true repentance unto salvation?

Contact: mike@antiosas.org