Viewpoint & Repentance
Our view of God, our view of our own sinfulness (or our ownrighteousness), and our view of the sinfulness of others all have an effect onhow and when we repent.
David had a greatview of God’s mercy and unfailing love and a great view of his own sin.
“Have mercy on me, OGod, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blotout my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me, against you, youonly, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you are provedright when you speak and justified when you judge” (Psalm 51:1-4).
A simple parable presented by Nathan, the prophet, broke Davidinto repentance.
Job had a great viewof his own righteousness and a great view of God’s injustice to him.
“As surely as Godlives, who has denied me justice, the Almighty, who has made me tastebitterness of soul, as long as I have life within me, the breath of God in mynostrils, my lips will not speak wickedness, and my tongue will utter nodeceit. I will never admit you are in the right; till I die, I will not deny myintegrity. I will maintain my righteousness and never let go of it; myconscience will not reproach me as long as I live” (Job 27:2-6).
Elihu spoke to Jobfor five chapters and God for four chapters before Job broke down inrepentance.
“My ears had heard ofyou but now my eyes have seen you. Therefore I despise myself and repent indust and ashes” (Job 42:5-6).
Jonah had a greatview of God’s graciousness and love and his own hatred for the Assyrians, theNinevites.
“But Jonah was greatlydispleased and became angry. He prayed to the Lord, ‘O Lord, is this not what Isaid when I was still at home? That is why I was so quick to flee to Tarshish.I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger andabounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity. Now, O Lord, takeaway my life, for it is better for me to die than to live’” (Jonah 4:1-4).
Job did not want God to forgive Nineveh. There is no clue inthe text that Jonah ever repented, though God continued to reach out to Jonah.(We can assume that Jonah repented, however, because presumably he wrote thebook of Jonah.)
We know of people who think they are too bad to be forgiven;others who think they are too good and do not need forgiveness; and others whothink others are going to hell and should not be forgiven.
“But where sinincreased, grace increased all the more” (Romans 5:20).
How To Be Free From Bitterness and other essays on Christian relationships
