Two friends traveling together by rail were discussing repentance. One insisted that it is profound conviction of sin, pungent sorrow for the evil of our nature, and for the iniquity of our life. The other took the ground that it is a change of mind, whether there is much or little feeling, producing, of course, a change of behavior, and that it follows the belief that comes through hearing the gospel.
At length one of them remarked: "I am sorry that our conversation must soon end. You leave at -the next station, I believe.”
"No," was the reply; "at the second station from this I take another road for the place I am trying to reach.”
Again they fell into earnest talk. The conductor soon passed through the car: He was calling:"All passengers for—change at the next station." The man who had argued that repentance was deep contrition and a long preparatory struggle to be saved, instantly seized his handbag and overcoat and hurried to the door. "I think you have repented," said his friend pleasantly.
"Yes," he answered with a smile, "I have;" and he was gone.
When a man repents he changes his mind about SIN. Once he rolled it as a sweet morsel under his tongue, or thought nothing of it whatever, or at best regarded it as an error to be condoned rather than guilt to be punished. But now the law flashes its truth into his: conscience; and sin, that it may appear sin, works death in him by that which is good: "that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful." Rom. 7:1313Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful. (Romans 7:13).
He now learns for the first time that the Bible is right when it says "fools make a mock at sin" (Prow. 14:9), and that it means something when it says: "Be sure your sin will find you out." Num. 32:2323But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the Lord: and be sure your sin will find you out. (Numbers 32:23).
In the second place he learns that he must change his mind about SELF. Formerly he had a very high opinion of his own character and conduct, with a strong dash of conceit as to his superior gifts or attainments. Especially on religious subjects he was quite confident that no one could teach him anything, and his views of God and the Bible and the eternal state were eminently satisfactory to his intellect, and settled conclusively in his mind all such annoying questions. _
In the third place, he has a change of mind about his STATE. He spoke boldly of his safety and of his exemption from the fear of death, and probably lied when he claimed entire indifference to the results of his present life. But if he was then altogether careless, he now recognizes his unconcern as spiritual stupidity, proving that he was "dead in trespasses and sins." Eph. 2:11And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; (Ephesians 2:1). He sees that the mind of the flesh with which he was born into the world is "enmity against God, for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be." Rom. 8:77Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. (Romans 8:7).
In the fourth place, he has a change of mind about his WORKS. Formerly he plumed himself upon his benevolence and beneficence, and excellent deportment. If he contributed five dollars to a charitable institution, or put a quarter in the weekly collection basket in church, or rendered his neighbor a kind service, he was like a turkey cock stretching his wings to the earth, gobbling out his splendid achievements. But he has been led to accept the testimony of the Word: "All our righteousnesses are as filthy rags." Isa. 64:66But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away. (Isaiah 64:6). At last he esteems all the things of which he once boasted but loss, saying with the apostle: "I... count them but dung, that I may win Christ." Phil. 3:88Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, (Philippians 3:8).
In the fifth place, he has a change of mind about GOD. He discovers that he had no conception of a divine being. He may have entertained doubts as to His very existence, or thought of Him as indifferent to the actions of men, or too merciful to punish the sinner, or too just to pardon.
But now he grows serious when he listens to Jehovah's proclamation: "The LORD, the LORD God, merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth,... forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty." Ex. 34:6, 76And the Lord passed by before him, and proclaimed, The Lord, The Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, 7Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children's children, unto the third and to the fourth generation. (Exodus 34:6‑7). Then he hears or reads the inspired testimony: "The goodness of God leadeth thee 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). He finds that repentance does not follow the looking at himself, but at God's infinite love.
In the sixth place, he has a change of mind about the LORD JESUS CHRIST. For years that blessed One was to him as a root out of a dry ground; but at length he sees the absolute necessity of the sacrifice of Himself offered upon the cross of Calvary. He bows with adoring gratitude before Him who is exalted to be "a Prince and a Savior, for to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins." Acts 5:3131Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. (Acts 5:31).
In the seventh place, he has a change of mind in his thoughts of ETERNITY. He believes that Christ is coming back; and in view of this, "God... now commandeth all men everywhere to repent: because He hath appointed a day, in the which He will judge the world in righteousness by that Man." Acts 17:30, 3130And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: 31Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead. (Acts 17:30‑31). Unsaved reader, repent! Change your mind regarding God's way of salvation. Take the lost sinner's place and claim the lost sinner's Savior. "Repent ye and believe the Gospel" of God's matchless grace.