REPENTANCE by J.C. Ryle
True repentance begins with a knowledge of sin. The eyes of the repentant person are opened. They see with dismay and confusion the length and breadth of God’s holy law, and the extent, the enormous extent, of their own transgressions. They discover, to their surprise, that in thinking themselves a “good sort of person,” and a person with a “good heart,” they have been under a huge delusion. They find out that, in reality, they are wicked, and guilty, and corrupt, and evil in God’s sight. Their pride breaks down. Their high thoughts melt away. They see that they are a great sinner. This is the first step in true repentance.
True repentance begins with a knowledge of sin. The eyes of the repentant person are opened. They see with dismay and confusion the length and breadth of God’s holy law, and the extent, the enormous extent, of their own transgressions. They discover, to their surprise, that in thinking themselves a “good sort of person,” and a person with a “good heart,” they have been under a huge delusion. They find out that, in reality, they are wicked, and guilty, and corrupt, and evil in God’s sight. Their pride breaks down. Their high thoughts melt away. They see that they are a great sinner. This is the first step in true repentance.
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that came under my own knowledge, which gave me some idea what the<br />
fear of man can do. I was attending a dying man, who had been a<br />
sergeant in the Guards. He had ruined his health <strong>by</strong> drinking liquor. He<br />
had been a careless, thoughtless man about his soul. He told me upon<br />
his death-bed, that when he first began to pray he was so ashamed of<br />
his wife knowing it, that when he went upstairs to pray he would take<br />
his shoes off and creep up in his stockings, that his wife might not be<br />
aware how he was spending his time. Verily, I am afraid there are many<br />
like him! Do not you be one of them. Whatever you are ashamed of,<br />
never be ashamed of seeking God.<br />
But, I think it just possible that some reader of this volume is afraid to<br />
repent. You think you are so bad and unworthy that Christ will not have<br />
you. I do beseech you once more, to cast away such fear forever. Never,<br />
never be afraid to repent. The Lord Jesus Christ is very gracious. He will<br />
not break the bruised reed, nor quench the smoking flax. Fear not to<br />
draw near to Him. There is a confessional ready for you. You need none<br />
made <strong>by</strong> man. The throne of grace is the true confessional. There is a<br />
Priest ready for you. You need no ordained man, no priest, no bishop,<br />
no minister, to stand between you and God. The Lord Jesus is the true<br />
High Priest. None is so wise, and none so loving as He. None but He can<br />
give you absolution, and send you away with a light heart and in perfect<br />
peace. Oh, take the invitation I bring you. Fear nothing. Christ is not an<br />
"austere man." He "despises none." (Job 36:5.) Arise this day, and flee to<br />
Him. Go to Christ and repent this night without delay.<br />
(3) My last word of application shall be an EXHORTATION to all who<br />
have known what repentance is <strong>by</strong> experience. I address it to all who<br />
have, <strong>by</strong> God's grace, felt their sins, sorrowed for their sins, confessed<br />
their sins, given up their sins, and found peace in the blood of Jesus<br />
Christ. What shall I say to you but this—Keep up your repentance! Keep<br />
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