The Westminster Shorter Catechism, Questions 87
Q. 87. What is repentance unto life?
A. Repentance unto life is a saving grace, whereby a sinner, out of a true sense of his sin, and apprehension of the mercy of God in Christ, doth, with grief, and hatred of his sin,
Q. 87. What is repentance unto life?
A. Repentance unto life is a saving grace, whereby a sinner, out of a true sense of his sin, and apprehension of the mercy of God in Christ, doth, with grief, and hatred of his sin,
turn from it unto God, with full purpose of, and endeavors after, new obedience.
EXPLICATION.
Repentance unto life. –True repentance is that change which takes place in the mind, after the sinner has been made sensible of the evil of his sins. It means not only grief for sin, but a hatred of it, and a turning from it. It is called repentance unto life,
Repentance unto life. –True repentance is that change which takes place in the mind, after the sinner has been made sensible of the evil of his sins. It means not only grief for sin, but a hatred of it, and a turning from it. It is called repentance unto life,
to distinguish it from the sorrow of the world, which worketh death; and it is called a saving grace, because like faith, it is a free gift of God, and because it is necessary to prepare us for eternal salvation, or everlasting happiness in heaven.
A true sense of his sin. –Being really convinced of the evil of sin, and of the danger to the soul with which it is accompanied.
Apprehension of the mercy of God in Christ. –A discovery of the necessity of the mercy of God, promised to us, and bestowed upon us for the sake of
Apprehension of the mercy of God in Christ. –A discovery of the necessity of the mercy of God, promised to us, and bestowed upon us for the sake of
Christ, and a laying hold upon it, or an acceptance of the offers thus made in the gospel.
Full purpose. –A universal, cheerful, and firm resolution of mind.
New obedience. –This obedience is so called, because it proceeds from a new state of mind, a new principle of faith in Christ, and of love to him. It is also new in the manner, in which it operates,
New obedience. –This obedience is so called, because it proceeds from a new state of mind, a new principle of faith in Christ, and of love to him. It is also new in the manner, in which it operates,
and in the effects which it produces.
