cry, “Repent!” It was this preaching—Repent, and believe the Gospel—that wrought such marvellous results then. (Acts 2:38–47). And we find that, when Paul went to Athens, he uttered the same cry, “ Now God commandeth all men, everywhere , to repent” (Acts 17:30).
Before I speak of what Repentance is , let me briefly say what it is not .
Repentance is not fear . Many people have confounded the two. They think they have to be alarmed and terrified; and they are waiting for some kind of fear to come down upon them. But multitudes become alarmed who do not really repent.
You have heard of men at sea during a terrible storm. Perhaps they have been very profane men; but when the danger came they suddenly grew quiet, and began to cry to God for mercy. Yet you would not say they repented. When the storm had passed away, they went on swearing the same as before.
You might think that the king of Egypt repented when God sent the terrible plagues upon him and his land. But it was not repentance at all. The moment God’s hand was removed Pharaoh’s heart was harder than ever. He did not turn from a single sin; he was the same man. So that there was no true repentance there.
Often, when death comes into a family, it looks as if the event would be sanctified to the conversion of all who are in the house.
Yet in six months’ time all may be forgotten. Some who read this have perhaps passed through that experience. When God’s hand was heavy upon them it looked as if they were going to repent; but the trial has been removed—and lo and behold, the impression has all gone.
Then again, Repentance is not feeling . I find a great many people are waiting for a certain kind of feeling to come. They would like to turn to