Repentance

What it Means to Repent and Why We Must Do So

J. C. Ryle

• Publisher: Aneko Press
• Year: 2021
• Print ISBN: 9781622457465
• eBook ISBN: 9781622457472
• Topic: Theology & Religion
• Subtopic: Christian Theology

Except you repent, you will all likewise perish. – Luke 13: 5It is indifference that leaves people alone and allows them to go their own way. It is love, tender love, that warns them and raises the cry of alarm. The cry of "Fire! Fire!" at midnight might sometimes rudely, harshly, and unpleasantly startle a person out of his sleep, but who would complain if that cry was the means of saving his life? The words Except you repent, you will all likewise perish might at first seem stern and severe, but they are words of love, and they could be the means of delivering precious souls from hell. 1.The nature of repentance: What is it?
2.The necessity of repentance: Why is repentance needful?
3.The encouragements to repentance: What is there to lead people to repent?

Section 3

What is There to Lead a Person to Repent?

I now come to the third and last thing that I promised to address. I will consider the encouragements to repentance. What is there to lead a person to repent?

I feel it is very important to say something about this. I know that many difficulties appear before us when the subject of repentance is brought up. I know how slow people are to give up sin. You might as well tell them to cut off a right hand, pluck out a right eye, or cut off a right foot as to tell them to part with their favorite sins.

I know the strength of old habits and the early ways of thinking about Christianity. They start out like cobwebs, but end up as iron chains. I know the power of pride and the fear of man that brings a snare (Proverbs 29:25). I know the dislike there is in people to being thought of as a saint and supposed to care about Christianity. I know that hundreds and thousands would never run from going to war who cannot bear to be laughed at and thought ridiculous because they care about their souls. I know, too, the hatred of our great enemy, the devil. Will he part with his “lawful captives” without a conflict (Isaiah 49:24)? Never! Will he give up his prey without a fight? Never!

I once saw a lion being fed at a zoo. I saw his meal thrown down before him. I saw the keeper try to take that meal away. I remember the lion’s roar, his spring, and his struggle to retain his food. I remember, too, the roaring lion that walks about, seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8). Will he give up a man or a woman without a struggle, and let him repent? Never, never, never! Man needs many encouragements to make him repent.

However, there are encouragements – great, broad, wide, full, and free. There are things in the Word of God that should strengthen every heart and stir up everyone to repent without delay. I want to bring these things before you now. I do not want even one person to say, “This cannot be done; it is impossible.” I want all who read this to say, “There is hope; there is hope! There is an open door! It is possible! This can be done! By the grace of God, a person can repent!”

Hear what a gracious Savior the Lord Jesus Christ is. I place Him first and foremost as the greatest argument to encourage a person to repent. I say to every doubting soul, “Look at Christ; think of Christ.” He is able to save to the uttermost all who come unto God by Him (Hebrews 7:25). He is one anointed a Prince and a Savior, to give repentance as well as forgiveness of sins (Acts 5:31). He is one who came to seek and to save that which was lost (Luke 19:10). He is one who said, I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance (Luke 5:32). He is one who cries, Come unto Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28). He is one who has pledged His royal word: Him who comes unto Me, I will never cast out (John 6:37). He it is of whom it is written, As many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to those who believe on His name (John 1:12).

I answer all doubts, questions, difficulties, objections, and fears with this simple argument. I say to everyone who needs encouragement: “Look at Christ; think of Christ.” Consider Jesus Christ, the Lord, and then doubt about repentance no more.

Hear what glorious promises the Word of God contains. It is written, Whoever confesses and forsakes his sins will find mercy (Proverbs 28:13). The Bible says, If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). God’s Word also says, Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of God. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. . . . Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they will be filled (Matthew 5:3-4, 6). Surely these promises are encouragements. Again I say, doubt about repentance no more.

Hear what gracious declarations the Word of God contains. When the wicked man turns away from his wickedness that he has committed, and does that which is lawful and right, he will save his soul alive (Ezekiel 18:27). The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise (Psalm 51:17). God is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). As I live, says the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked. . . . Turn! Turn! Why will you die? (Ezekiel 33:11). There is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repents (Luke 15:10). Certainly if any words can be encouraging, these words are! Again I say, doubt about repentance no more.

Hear what marvelous parables our Lord Jesus spoke upon this subject. Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee took ...

Table of contents

• Contents
• Introduction
• What is Repentance?
• Why is Repentance Necessary?
• What is There to Lead a Person to Repent?
• Conclusion
• J. C. Ryle – A Brief Biography
• Other Similar Titles