What is repentance? Here is the definition from a modern language edition of the Westminster Confession of Faith:
1. Repentance unto life is a gospel grace, the doctrine of which is to be preached by every minister of the gospel, just as is the doctrine of faith in Christ.
2. By it [that is, repentance] a sinner—seeing and sensing not only the danger but also the filthiness and hatefulness of his sins, because they are contrary to God's holy nature and his righteous law—turns from all his sins to God in the realization that God promises mercy in Christ to those who repent, and so grieves for and hates his sins that he determines and endeavors to walk with God in all the ways that he commands.
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We need God's perspective.
Protectively, we guard the "little" sins within our lives, relishing our indulgences. We rationalize their existence as "harmless"--after all, we've already given up so much for God. . .and we're only human. We view His proddings to forsake these private sins as the overzealousness of an austere God--shouldn't He be spending more time convicting "Joe" or "Betty". Everyone knows they could use some conviction in their lives given their "big" sins. Can't God afford us this one little bit of happiness?
However, God's primary focus is on my holiness, not my (self-defined)happiness. His goal is to make me Christlike. He knows that only as I am transformed into the image of His Son can I experience true happiness and joy. God isn't about killing my happiness; He wants me to discover what true happiness is and that it is only found in Him. He knows what is best for me. And He consistently desires what is best for me. When I become absolutely convinced of that, it will change my life. My life will become a moment by moment conviction of His love and wisdom such that I will actively desire and choose God's best for me.
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