And he went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins…Bear fruits in keeping with repentance.  Luke 3:3, 8

This past Sunday, we considered the ministry of John the Baptizer. At the heart of his work was the proclamation of the necessity of repentance for redemption and what the fruit of such repentance might entail. I mentioned that repentance is not a one-time occurrence but is part of the ongoing life of a follower of Jesus. As Martin Luther wrote in the first of his 95 theses, When our Lord and Master Jesus Christ said, ``Repent'' (Mt 4:17), he willed the entire life of believers to be one of repentance. However, since we were only able to briefly touch on this important part of the Christian life, I wanted to share the teaching of the Westminster Confession of Faith (part of our doctrinal standards) on repentance.

The confessions teaches the following:

1.  Repentance unto life is an evangelical grace, the doctrine whereof is to be preached by every minister of the gospel, as well as that of faith in Christ.
2. By it a sinner, out of the sight and sense, not only of the danger, but also of the filthiness and odiousness of his sins, as contrary to the holy nature and righteous law of God, and upon the apprehension of His mercy in Christ to such as are penitent, so grieves for, and hates his sins, as to turn from them all unto God, purposing and endeavoring to walk with Him in all the ways of His commandments.
3. Although repentance be not to be rested in as any satisfaction for sin, or any cause of the pardon thereof, which is the act of God’s free grace in Christ; yet is it of such necessity to all sinners, that none may expect pardon without it.
4. As there is no sin so small but it deserves damnation; so there is no sin so great that it can bring damnation upon those who truly repent.
5. Men ought not to content themselves with a general repentance, but it is every man’s duty to endeavor to repent of his particular sins, particularly.
6. As every man is bound to make private confession of his sins to God, praying for the pardon thereof, upon which, and the forsaking of them, he shall find mercy: so he that scandalizeth his brother, or the church of Christ, ought to be willing, by a private or public confession and sorrow for his sin, to declare his repentance to those that are offended; who are thereupon to be reconciled to him, and in love to receive him.

Saints, there is much there to consider and contemplate. Two, I would highlight. First, the ability to see and sense the true nature and consequences of our sin and to turn from it is a gracious gift from God. And second, our repentance should seek to be as particular as possible. Let us be, as individuals and as a church, quick to repent, turning from our sins and turning once again in faith to our savior, Jesus Christ.