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No Shame in Repentance
-Introduction
–
-the danger
of becoming desensitized to sin
-We become
accustomed to that which we are regularly around.
-example of Scott Berna
-1 Cor 15:33
-When we
consider the ways of this world, we see a great amount of sinfulness -
many atrocities - many things contrary to God’s will
-When we are
around these things more, hear these things more, see these things more,
we
become
more used to them (more so than we should be).
-example of
programming on tv
-In too
many of our own homes, we’re falling victim to this process - and with our
kids
right there beside us - desensitizing them at an early age.
-1 Tim 4:2
-We
Must Remember the Atrocity of Sin and the Necessity of Forgiveness
-Sin should
bother us - plain and simple.
-We need to
properly train our conscience in accordance with God’s will.
-How
did we get a conscience? Gen 1:26 - made in the image of God
-We
need to properly train our conscience with the studying & application of
God’s word.
-Matt 7:21,
Rom 12:1-2
-When
considering God’s word, it doesn’t take long to realize that forgiveness
is a must.
-Rom
3:23, 6:23
-Sin
is a violation against God’s will. It is digusting in His sight – Isa
1:6.
-Sin has
many consequences - worst of which is separation from God - Isa 59:1-2.
-God doesn’t
want us to be separated from Him and that’s why He sent Jesus.
-2 Cor
5:21, Rom 5:9
-We have a
drastic problem of sin. Let’s not become desensitized to it.
-We
Must Remember There is No Shame in Repentance
-For us to
receive forgiveness, we must repent - Luke 13:3,5; Acts 17:30
-Story of
asking David South a question and his answer
-You
can’t measure the success of your efforts just by immediate responses.
-Usually,
when we talk about responses, we usually think in terms of somebody’s
initial
obedience
to the Gospel.
-What
about those who have previously obeyed the Gospel, but need to come in
confession
and
repentance of wrongdoing?
-It seems
that we rarely see that taking place.
-There are
probably a multitude of factors that effect that. Could it be that some
view that step of
repentance
as shameful?
-If
so, they are sorely mistaken!
-We
Must Remember that the Shame is in the Sin
-Jer 6:15;
8:12 - Let’s be careful that we don’t allow our hearts to be hardened and
our
consciences calloused to the point that sin doesn’t
bother us & cause shame.
- Jeremiah
writes in other places about the topic of shame:
-Jer
3:22-25 - Sinning against God is shameful. Repenting of that sin is not.
-Jer
23:39-40
-vs 40 - “perpetual shame, which shall not be forgotten”
-This is a record of their shame. It is perpetual due to the fact that it
is recorded in the
scriptures and in the records of history. Their shame will
always be remembered.
-Would
their “record” be different had they repented? Absolutely.
-The
Corinthians:
-1 Cor
5:1-2 - shameful conduct of fornication within the church
-Yet,
the record of this man (and of the Corinthians as a whole who had their
struggles) is not
left
as one of shame. To the contrary: 2 Cor 2:7-11 - gladness, joy,
rejoicing, love, forgiveness Clearly…
-Sin is
shameful. Repentance is not.
-I’m afraid
some fail to respond because they incorrectly feel that it is a thing of
shame. Not
responding
when needing to do so - that is where shame is.
-But, when
should we feel it necessary to respond in a public fashion with a public
confession
and make
our repentance known and request prayers on our behalf?
-1
John 1:7-9 - “confess” - With some logic and rational thought, we can
properly conclude that the acknowledgement of sin should
correspond with the knowledge of sin.
-Matt 18 - private manner - handle privately
-If it is of public knowledge, it should be handled publicly including an
acknowledgement to the congregation.
-Summary
and Invitation
-Please
don’t become desensitized to sin. Sin should bother us.
-We need to
remember that sin is a violation against God and separates us from Him.
-We need
God’s forgiveness.
-So, don’t
feel that there is any shame or cause for embarrassment in responding to
God’s
word in
repentance. Shame is in sin, not in repentance.
-Do you
currently have sin in your life that needs to be addressed?
-Perhaps you
are here today and you need to respond to the invitation:
-Initial obedience: Believe (John 3:16, 8:24), Confess (Matt 10:32, Rom
10:9-10), Repent
(Luke
13:3,4; Acts 17:30), Be Baptized (Acts 2:38, Mark 16:16), Live Faithfully
(Rom 6:4)
-Return to
faithfulness: Confession, Repentance, Prayer - 1 John 1:7-9, Acts 8:22-24
Pat Cowden |