1. Carefulness
Chapter Nine
9. THE TRIAL OF OUR REPENTANCE,
AND COMFORT FOR THE PENITENT
If any say they have repented, let me ask that they try themselves seriously by those seven adjuncts or effects of repentance which the apostle lays down in 2Cor 7.11:
1. Carefulness The Greek word signifies a solicitous diligence or careful shunning all temptations to sin. The true penitent flies from sin as Moses did from the serpent.
2. Clearing ourselves The Greek word is "apology." The sense is this: even if we are very careful, the strength of temptation may still cause us to slip into sin.
Now in this case, the repenting soul will not let sin lie festering in his conscience; instead he judges himself for his sin. He pours out tears before the Lord. He begs mercy in the name of Christ, and he never leaves till he has gotten his pardon. Here he is cleared of guilt in his conscience, and he is able to make an apology for himself against Satan.
3. Indignation For someone who repents of sin, his spirit rises against it, just as his blood might rise at the sight of a person he mortally hates.
Indignation is being outraged in his heart with his sin. The penitent is vexed with himself. David calls himself a fool and a beast (Psa
73.22). God is never better pleased with us than when we have a falling out with ourselves for sin.
4. Fear A tender heart is ever a trembling heart. The penitent has felt sin's bitterness. This hornet has stung him and now, having hopes that God is reconciled, he is afraid to come near sin any more. The repenting soul is full of fear. He is afraid to lose God's favor which is better than life. For want of diligence, he is afraid he might come short of salvation. He is afraid that, after his heart has been softened, the waters of repentance might freeze and he would harden in sin