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 Many
years ago while teaching a Bible class I asked a young lady the meaning
of “repent". Her immediate answer was, “Oh, that’s what
people do in the aisle.” Then, seeing my puzzled expression, she
continued: “You believe in the seat, repent in the aisle, confess at
the front, and are baptized in the baptistery.”
Very
neat, very neat indeed! And I suspect that there are a surprising number
of adults who get little beyond this childish conception of the “plan
of salvation.” We “repent in the aisle!” Abject sorrow for sin,
that humbles—brings us trembling before our God— shakes our
complacency and puts steel in our determination to sin no more, is
virtually unknown.
If
tears are shed this is a rarity sad may often be traced to nervous
embarrassment or a prolonged emotional appeal on the part of the
preacher. Some speakers seem to fear any emotional appeal, while others
seek to stimulate a synthetic down-pour by tactics of mass psychology.
What has become of genuine, soul-searching conviction that changes a
whole life? Well, the necessary ingredients are still with us, and but
await recognition and proper use.
Sin
is rampant, and if repentance is rare it is not for lack of reason. But
sin must be made apparent to the sinner. Platitudes and generalities
soothe the flesh— they do not strike the heart. When men “come to
themselves”, are “pricked in their heart”, then they may repent.
(Lu. 15:l7 Acts 2:37-38) Paul feared lest a penitent man be “swallowed
up with overmuch sorrow.” (2 Cor. 2:7) Does this fit our man “in the
aisle”?
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“Ye
sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner” a
portion of 2 Cor. 7:8-11. Read these verses carefully, for they
distinguish between “sorry I got caught” and the humbling,
self-abasing experience of one who realizes his unworthiness in the
presence of God. Such a feeling fills with care, and our very being
revolts against our former manner of life — the sin, of which we are
now so ashamed.
“Unclean!
Unclean!” we cry; and turn with joyous gratefulness to the Saviour’s
offer of forgiveness.
Paul
taught “repentance toward God” as well as “faith toward our Lord
Jesus Christ.” (Acts 20:21) All sin is against God (Lu. 15:18) i.e.,
the creature wrongs the Creator when sin is committed; and since
God alone can forgive, it is fitting that the creature present a
contrite spirit to the Throne. The old-time mourner’s bench was based
on Calvinistic errors too space-consuming to be discussed here; but I
sometimes wonder if we may not have “run past Jerusalem” in our
casual attitude toward repentance.
Jesus
said, “Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.” (Lu. 13:3)
Repent or perish— it is an ultimatum of Almighty God, an awesome
thing. But the sin-burdened soul who truly repents sees more: “Repent,
and be baptized— for the remission of sins’.’ (Acts 2:38) Christ
lifts the burden of those who obey Him, and mourning turns to
thanksgiving.
(Reprint, Vol. 1, No. 12)
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