MANY people confound remorse with repentance. Remorse is the sorrow caused by the consequences of sin or folly; while repentance is sorrow caused by a judgment of the spring of the evil actions irrespective of consequences. For instance, a man embezzles his employer’s money. He is discovered, and becomes frightened as his imagination conjures up pictures of assize courts, prisons, and warders. He expresses great sorrow for his crime, and makes many promises of future amendment. The affair is perhaps hushed up, and the first opportunity of taking safely what is not his own he seizes. This is but a picture of many a case. He has never repented of his crime. On the other hand, a young man who has been carefully brought up falls into the same sin. But in his quieter moments his conscience smites him, and irrespective of consequences he confesses all to his employer, and places himself in his hands to do what he thinks fit. He is perhaps treated as the other young fellow was, and shows his repentance by being the most devoted servant his employer ever had; and in as short a time as possible refunds his master what he has taken.
Dear readers, we have all sinned against God far more than we imagine. We read a picture of this in Matthew 18:2424And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. (Matthew 18:24)― “And when HE had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him which owed him ten thousand talents” (₤1,875,000 at the lowest computation). If you wish to make a ragged urchin ashamed of his rags, you can do it most effectively by placing him in a gorgeous room in a palace. So when the blessed God comes out in the love of His heart, and devises means at a most stupendous cost, and offers mercy, full and free, to poor guilt-burdened, hell-bound sinners, it is enough to produce repentance; for Scripture says― “The goodness of God leadeth thee (O man) to repentance” (Rom. 2:44Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? (Romans 2:4)).
Christ said “that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem” (Luke 24:4747And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. (Luke 24:47)). Wonderful goodness! that the gospel should first be sounded in the ears of His murderers at Jerusalem.
My dear reader, repent of your sins and rebellion against God. Trust His written word, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved” (Acts 16:3131And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. (Acts 16:31)). The woman that was a sinner, in Luke 7 was attracted by the grace and love of the Lord Jesus Christ. So strongly was she attracted to Him, that she even followed Him into the proud Pharisee’s house, and there behind Him she wept many precious tears of repentance upon those feet which were soon to be nailed to Calvary’s tree for her. Jesus turned round to her and said, “Thy sins are forgiven” (Luke 7:4848And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven. (Luke 7:48)). In heaven the tears are forever wiped away by God Himself; but there are everlasting sobbing’s in hell. The proud sinner, who in time refused to weep the tears of repentance, is now forever weeping the hot scalding tears of remorse, which afford no relief. The King said to His servants, as to him who had not the wedding garment, “Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Matt. 22:1313Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. (Matthew 22:13)). Men gnash their teeth when they are in a rage. So in eternity will there be everlasting, remorseful tears, and the impotent gnashing of teeth in rage and misery.
Dear reader, God in His love has made the way to heaven and happiness as open as ever it can be. But on the road to hell he has planted as many obstacles as love could devise. Christ has died upon the cross; the work which satisfies God as to sin has been perfectly done, and now the Holy Ghost is pressing home the message of grace and mercy upon sinners. Ere you finish reading this paper, trust the person and work of Christ. “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life” (John 3:3636He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. (John 3:36)).
A. J. P.