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Pastor's Blog February 13, 2020
"'Fear' and Repentance"
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Did you ever consider that "fear" might be a part of repentance? Many people, consciously or unconsciously, associate fear with repentance. Due to vague and nebulous ideas, most people think repentance is a fancy way of saying, "Stop doing what you like, or you're going to get it!" Whether it's society, culture, police, the government, or simply your parents and neighbors, this way of thinking about repentance is based on fear: fear of being punished for doing something, whether or not you believe what you're doing is wrong.
Ellen talks about this fear, but she also highlights the fact that there is a form of fear that is associated with true repentance. In "Steps to Christ," Ellen makes clear that changing your behavior because you're afraid of being punished is not repentance. "Repentance," according to Ellen, "includes sorrow for sin and a turning away from it" (12; 1977 edition).
No one will depart from their sin until they see how heinous it is and choose to reject it in their heart (12). Consequently, when people try to reform their lives "because they fear that their wrongdoing will bring suffering upon themselves," their changes in behavior or habits are not due to repentance. Such people have not departed from their sin (i.e., repented), but have merely decided to avoid their sin for a time in order to evade punishment for doing it. Esau, Balaam, and Judas Iscariot all "repented" of their sins, but their sorrow was over lost benefits or divine judgment; they were not sorry they sinned, they were sorry they got caught (12-13).
But Ellen also points out that there is a right kind of fear in repentance. "When the heart yields to the influence of the Spirit of God," a person becomes afraid - not of God, but of sin (13)! The beauty of God's holiness, the wonder of his love, and the justice and right-ness of his law all make sin look hideous, monstrous, and appalling to men and women who have been quickened by the Holy Spirit (13). Far from being afraid of God or "what he'll do to me," true repentance results in being afraid of sin and how it separates us from God.
Friend, do you sometimes feel guilty and afraid because of your sin? Trust in God and turn to him, because he has promised to give you the gift of repentance and a love for his holiness.
(*) Steps to Christ 1977 edition; Chapter 2, “The Sinner’s Need of Christ”
God Bless.
Pastor Nathaniel Gamble
