Q.87. What is repentance unto life?

A. Repentance unto life is a saving grace,[g] whereby a sinner, out of a true sense of his sin,[h] and apprehension of the mercy of God in Christ,[i] doth, with grief and hatred of his sin, turn from it unto God,[k] with full purpose of, and endeavour after, new obedience.[l]

[g] Acts 11:18.

[h] Acts 2:37,38.

[i] Joel 2:12. Jer. 3:22.

[k] Jer. 31:18,19. Ezek. 36:31.

[l] 2 Cor. 7:11. Isa. 1:16,17.

We are here taught,

1. That repentance unto life is a saving grace.

2. That in repentance there must be a true sense of sin.

3. That in repentance there is an apprehension of mercy in God.

4. That the mercy of God to the sinner is exhibited only in Christ.

5. That in true repentance there is a sincere grief for sin.

6. That in true repentance there is a sincere hatred of sin.

7. That in true repentance the sinner turns from his sin.

8. That in true repentance the sinner returns to God.

9. That in true repentance there is a full purpose of obedience to God.

10. That in true repentance there is an anxious endeavour to obey God.

11. That the obedience which follows true repentance is new obedience.