Like childbirth, the spiritual travail of repentance and its fruits is not pleasant. The bitter heartache of godly sorrow that issues forth in a sincere change of heart and mind toward sin which results in a changed life is necessary if one does not desire to perish eternally (Luke 13:3, 5). Why obey God’s universal command to all humanity to repent (Acts 17:30)? Consider carefully David’s enumeration of the blessings of repentance in Psalm 6:
–Repentance delivers the sinner from God’s anger and hot displeasure (v. 1).
–Repentance allows God to be merciful to the weak and heal the vexed (v. 2).
–Repentance brings peace to the soul that is greatly troubled (v. 3).
–Repentance returns the prodigal to his father and saves the lost soul prior to his death, the point of no return (vv. 4-5).
–Repentance brings relief from the groanings, tears, grief, and heaviness of heart inflicted by sin (vv. 6-7).
–Repentance provides the spiritual strength and motivation to resist sin (v. 8).
–Repentance restores one’s fellowship with God and re-opens the gate of prayer with all of its blessings and power (v. 9).
–Repentance restores one’s courage in the face of opposition and enables spiritual victory (v. 10).
Why carry about the guilt, burden, debt, stain, and stench of sin when spiritual deliverance, healing, peace, relief, strength, and victory await all who repent?
