30 I will multiply the fruit of the tree and the produce of the field, so that you will not receive again the disgrace of famine among the nations. 31 Then you will remember your evil ways and your deeds that were not good, and you will loathe yourselves in your own sight for your iniquities and your abominations. Ezekiel 36:30-31 (NASB)
The following is partially adapted from a sermon by C.H. Spurgeon titled “Mistaken Notions About Repentance.”
Some have defined repentance as, “a change of mind.” Others add, “with resultant change in actions.” Others believe it is anguish and grief over sin. Others believe it is the same thing as belief. What is repentance? Repentance is wrought in the heart by a sense of love divine. In other words, it is the product of a work of God in the heart….
If we hold this view of repentance we see it in its true light. This helps us to meet a great many mistakes which have darkened this subject. Many are kept from Christ and hope by misapprehensions of this matter.
If this is so then a right understanding of repentance is crucial to people coming to faith in Christ. Some confound it with morbid self-accusation. This is the fruit of some mental infirmity in which guilt has gotten out of control in the afflicted one’s heart. This is more a medical condition in which a physician may here do more than a preacher. Others mistake repentance for unbelief, despondency, or despair. These things are of no use in repentance, but in fact, tend to harden the heart. Others mistake repentance for a dread of hell, or a sense of wrath. These may go with repentance, but it is no part of it. True repentance is a hatred of evil, accompanied by a sense of shame and a longing to avoid sin. This repentance is wrought only by a sense of divine love.
Some also make a mistake in their understanding of the place which repentance occupies. These look upon it as a procuring cause of grace, as if repentance merited remission. This is a grave error because it would make salvation the result of a work. It is also wrongly viewed by others as a preparation for grace; a human goodness laying the foundation for mercy a meeting of God half way; this is a deadly error. Why? This denies the existence of original sin which bars all from being worthy of grace. It is also treated as a sort of qualification for believing, and even as the ground for believing: all which is legality, and contrary to pure gospel truth. Others treat it as the argument for peace of mind. They have repented so much, and it must be all right. This is to build our confidence upon a false foundation. I fear that many of us are in this camp right now.
There is also great misunderstanding of the way repentance is produced in the heart. It is not produced by a distinct and immediate attempt to repent. Nor does it come by strong excitement at revival meetings. Nor by meditating upon sin, and death, and hell, et cetera. No, it only comes as the God of all grace produces it. He does this by His free grace, which by its action renews the heart.
26 Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. Ezekiel 36:26 (NASB)