“Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance” (Matthew 3:8).
True repentance is necessary for salvation. Jesus said, “Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish” (Luke 13:3). It is the “goodness of God” that “leadeth (us) to repentance” (Romans 2:4) from our “dead works” (Hebrews 6:1).
Paul delineated seven specific results of repentance: “Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing. For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of [different word, meaning ‘regretted’]: but the sorrow of the world worketh death. For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness [same word as ‘study’ in ‘Study to shew thyself approved’ (II Timothy 2:15)] it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves [same word as ‘answer’ in ‘Be ready always to give an answer’ (I Peter 3:15)], yea what indignation [towards], yea, what fear [‘Let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God’ (II Corinthians 7:1)], yea, what vehement desire [‘As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby’ (I Peter 2:2)], yea, what zeal [burning or ardor, ‘. . . your zeal hath provoked very many. . .’ (II Corinthians 9:2)], yea, what revenge! [or punishment of sin, keeping in mind the attitude of Galatians 6:1]. In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter” (II Corinthians 7:9–11).
The results of true repentance are summed up in Psalm 30:11,12. “Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: Thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness; To the end that my glory may sing praise to thee.” CJH
