Repentance

“…. the goodness of God leads you to repentance.”

(Romans 2:4 – NKJV)

Repentance is very often connected in our minds with warnings of judgement rather than the practical love of God expressed in his goodness towards us.

I have heard many dire warnings addressed to “sinners” as to the consequence of remaining in “sin”. However, I have heard relatively few which would suggest that the true cause of repentance is the goodness of God! Yet, in this verse, Paul indicates that it is the forbearance, longsuffering and vast treasure of God’s goodness, which is the real foundation of true repentance.

I believe we find two kinds of repentance in the Christian world today. One is fuelled by fear the other by love. One leads to a formal, master/servant relationship – the other to an intimate love/service relationship. One will do the minimum to placate God – the other can never do enough for the one who loves them passionately. One spends as little time as possible to - “give God his due”, the other longs to spend the whole of life in the presence of their Father King.

We see all of this worked out by way of practical illustration in the lives of the young men we find in Jesus parable, commonly referred to as the parable of the “Prodigal Son”.   However the story refers to two sons - one religious and one a rebel. Both viewed their father from an economic point of view – one from whom they could benefit financially! One served his father by strict observance to the rules – while the other broke all the rules in the book and left home for the good life. The rebel eventually returned for economic reasons – intending to work as hard as he could to redeem himself. But his heart was broken by a kiss and the goodness of God brought him to the place of full repentance.

Full repentance involves restoration as well as turning (repenting). While the father in Jesus story rejoiced to see his wayward son returning, the most significant aspect of the story is that of restored relationship – a relationship in which the elder son, despite his religious commitment, refused to share.