If sin is running from God to get control of our lives, then repentance is turning back to God and yielding control to him. In that clash of wills—Jesus or you?—repentance is letting God’s quiet voice become louder, larger, and stronger in your life. And because we are turning back to the one who has already accepted and forgiven us, repentance is not only marked by weeping and mourning, but it is also marked by relief and joy. We do mourn (Matt. 5:4) because we hate to grieve him who loves us best (Eph. 4:30). But we also rejoice as we realize that the primary one we have offended (Ps. 51:4)
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