Repentance Without Evidence
These words from J.C. Ryle got me thinking. Please read them with me…
“The plain truth is that a right knowledge of sin lies at the root of all saving Christianity.
Without it such doctrines as justification, conversion, sanctification, are “words and names” which convey no meaning to the mind. The first thing, therefore, that God does when He makes anyone a new creature in Christ, is to send light into his heart, and show him that he is a guilty sinner.
The material creation in Genesis began with “light,” and so also does the spiritual creation. God “shines into our hearts” by the work of the Holy Ghost, and then spiritual life begins. (2 Cor. iv. 6.)—Dim or indistinct views of sin are the origin of most of the errors, heresies, and false doctrines of the present day.
If a man does not realize the dangerous nature of his soul’s disease, you cannot wonder if he is content with false or imperfect remedies. I believe that one of the chief wants of the Church in the nineteenth century has been, and is, clearer, fuller teaching about sin.”
—J.C. Ryle
Have we gotten any better at teaching about sin in the 21st century? I don’t think so. Since he referenced 2 Corinthians 4:6, let’s check out that verse in context…
2Co 4:1 Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart.
2Co 4:2 But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God's word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone's conscience in the sight of God.
2Co 4:3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing.
2Co 4:4 In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
2Co 4:5 For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake.
2Co 4:6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
—2 Corinthians 4:1-6
So, if the light of the gospel has really come into our dark hearts, shouldn’t we have a clear understanding of sin? The Holy Spirit should reveal these things to us, right? Is it possible for God to not act according to how His Word says He has and will? I hope the answers to all of these questions are clear. Yet, sin is still widespread in the lives of professing believers and the church. Can the flesh be blamed? Absolutely. But, I think J.C. Ryle hits the nail on the head when he highlights this bigger issue — an incorrect view of sin. It is hard to argue against him when he says, ‘Dim or indistinct views of sin are the origin of most of the errors, heresies, and false doctrines of the present day.’ His observation of our response is even more alarming — ‘If a man does not realize the dangerous nature of his soul’s disease, you cannot wonder if he is content with false or imperfect remedies.’ Basically, we are okay with sin because we don’t see it clearly or as that big of a deal. No wonder we can believe repentance without evidence is a thing. If we think merely saying words and believing something in a shallow way is saving faith, then it’s not surprising we would also be misguided when it comes to sin. If for some reason any of these things are unclear, then perhaps we should carefully consider if the light is in us at all. I suggest praying to God, reading through His Word, and talking with a serious follower of Christ in your life.