Westminster Larger Catechism # 76
Commentary by Dr. Chuck Baynard
Q76. What is repentance unto life?
Answer: Repentance unto life is a saving grace, wrought in the heart of a sinner by the
Spirit and the word of God, whereby, out of the sight and sense, not only of the danger,
but also of the filthiness and odiousness of his sins, and upon the apprehension of
God’s mercy in Christ to such as are penitent, he grieves for and hates his sins, as
that he turns from them all to God, purposing and endeavoring constantly to walk with him
in all the ways of new obedience.
References: 2 Tim. 2:25; Zech. 12:10; Acts 11:18,20-21; Ezek. 18:28,30,32; Luke
15:17-18; Hos. 2:6-7; Ezek. 36:31; Isa. 30:22; Joel 2:12-13; 2 Cor. 7:11; Acts 26:18;
Ezek. 14:6; 1 Kings 8:47-48; Ps. 119:6,59,128; 2 Kings 23:25.
Harmony of the Standards: COF 15.2; SC 87
The Divines begin by rightly pointing out this is a saving grace. This is the most
important part of this statement in as far as Reformed theology is concerned. That is to
say that all that follows can and are claimed by some to be things that man does for
himself, which if true would negate grace and make salvation of works. None of the events
that follow the grace given will take place without the working of regeneration by the
Holy Spirit having happened first.
We begin here with petal one of the TULIP and the total depravity of the creature, who
cannot and will not see this depravity and especially the depth to which it reaches
without the presence of the Sprit of light to open his eyes and illumine his mind. Man by
nature apart from God is a selfish and egotistical being. He cannot conceive of less than
his own perfection, and should this not be true we find him on the counselor’s
couches throughout the world. Self esteem is the medicine of choice for all that is wrong
with mankind, if we listen to the mind doctors. Thus for a person to conceive that they
are filled with filthiness and may be odious to another, even God is an illness, and has
no truth according to man. Yet the Scriptures tell us not to think of ourselves more than
we ought. A most cursory examination of the world around us reveals the truth of the first
petal.
With the first petal of God’s truth established both by Scripture and life
experience, petal two is the only hope for the pitiful fallen creature known as man. Left
completely void of any merit, petal two shines forth into the darkness of the heart of the
elect beginning the process we have just seen flow so eloquently from the pen of the
Divines.
I think we can rightly look at the Beatitudes and see the same pattern leading us
through these exact same steps for the same purpose as Christ gave us what has become
known as the Sermon on the Mount (Mt. 5-7). I was rather surprised as I looked over the
proof texts none of the opening verses of Matthew five were included. Pause now and read
the Beatitudes. Compare the process there revealed by Christ to that gathered from
throughout the Scriptures by the Divines in this statement.
Repentance is the key to our knowing if we are of the Lord or not. John tells us that
it is possible to know that we are the children of God. Yet many are still looking for
that assurance of pardon, or for some experience to confirm their salvation. Here then is
that "experience." Can you see how filthy all sin is to God, and that it is an
unfavorable odor to His nostrils. Only the redeemed will see things to be as bad as they
are and know the fear of God, both of reverence and fear of judgment. The work of Christ
is of no consequence until this is true, and men see not His death as mercy from God, nor
for their benefit.
Without repentance there is no salvation! Yet note well the ending words of the Divines
in ending this statement. Even the elect with the Holy Spirit bringing about the
illumination of their eyes only strive and endeavor to walk in this way of perfect
obedience. Paul points to this in Romans 7:13-25 and one of the most vivid passages in
Scripture of the spiritual war within the flesh of man, as God’s redeemed strive not
to reenter the sinfulness from which the work of Christ has purchased their freedom. It is
the struggle with life that brings us assurance of the working of the Spirit as much as
the peace of mind we also have in Christ. This isn’t some sort of double speak nor
contradicting itself. We have peace with God and for the first time true freedom, with an
ability to see ourselves as we are, and know where we need the strengthening of the
Spirit. It is only thus that Paul could say in the epistle that as we come to the table of
the Lord we should so "examine" ourselves. The examination isn’t one of
condemnation, for now there is no condemnation to those that are in Christ, but an
examination that lays our soul bare before the light of the Sprit that we might repent and
turn from our sins, all the while knowing that as often as we confess our sins, He is just
and faithful to forgive them. From the struggle of life in the flesh we can rejoice and
sing God’s praises both in tribulation and hope (Romans 5:1-5). The same thing that
drives the reprobate further from the Lord, leads His elect homeward, singing with joy in
their heart despite the trails and tribulations of earthly circumstance.
That not all can embrace this truth and come to repentance in this life graphically
displays the truth of petal three. While the martyrs of the Lord willingly embracing the
flames will evermore testify to the truth of petal four. The selfish creatures we are by
nature would hardly embrace death for a goodly man, much less a righteous man (Romans
5:7). Thus we once more see that as our salvation began with God so must it end, and by
none other than grace is the beginning nor end. Once more amid the tears of repentance we
see the first fruits in the TULIP garden, and it is by the same beautiful light from
God’s word these tears become tears of joy adding beautiful sparkle and glimmer amid
God’s glorious garden of saints, chosen from the foundation of the earth, called to
faith in Christ Jesus, that the gardens of heaven might not be filled with tulips, but the
living souls of God’s chief creation, mankind, created for just this purpose, the
glory of God for all eternity.
We as a whole love the stories of rags to riches, and to see a champion rise from the
pits of defeat to retain his title once more. Yet every day we see the most fantastic
triumph that will ever be, as souls lost for all eternity are led through the tears of
repentance unto tears of joy eternal, and give not the glory to the God of creation who
can work such a miracle. I would at times I were more of a poet than theologian that I
might try and find words to rightly set these precious stones of God’s grace to paper
and forever sing His praises. Alas, this may forever escape of mortals, but through these
tears is the only path to our Lord, as they wash the dust of earth from our eyes, that we
may see Him, and know even as we are known (1 Cor. 13:12b).
Dr. Chuck Baynard -- September 1998
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