The first of Martin Luther's 95 Theses states, "When our Lord and Master Jesus Christ said, 'Repent' [Matthew 4:17], he willed the entire life of believers to be one of repentance."

The London Baptist Confession of 1689 defines repentance as a grace where, through the Holy Spirit, a person becomes aware of their sin, humbles themselves with godly sorrow, and seeks forgiveness and strength to live a life pleasing to God.

There is much you can say about repentance. This article seeks to encourage us in our repentance by focusing on just one aspect, that is the resulting refreshment that comes from it.

That may not be what you typically think of when you think of repentance. It can be strange that repentance can produce both grief and joy. In Psalm 51 David describes the bone crushing weight of his sin, but in the gospel we see how life comes from death and joy comes from suffering. In this article we’ll look at the refreshment that comes through repentance initially, continually, and ultimately (or “initial, ongoing and final repentance.”)

I. Initial Repentance and Refreshment: In Acts 3:17-21, Peter addresses the Jews about their ignorance in rejecting Jesus as the Messiah and their role in his crucifixion. Despite this, God, in his incredible goodness and mercy, provides them with a call to repent and promises that a time of refreshment and restoration will follow.

As they change their minds about who Jesus is and put their faith in him as the one in whom their “sins can be blotted out,” their hearts will be refreshed, enlivened, and restored in him.

II. Ongoing Repentance and Refreshment: We probably weren’t surprised that our initial repentance and faith would bring refreshment, but I don’t know that we have the same confidence in our call to daily repentance.

Sin is not completely eradicated, and believers must still be about confession of sin and putting to death the old man. It’s hard work, but worth it.

Hebrews 12 agrees there is momentary unpleasantness as believers are trained for righteousness and conformed to Christ's image. Sometimes God uses suffering. Other times God uses discipline for our sin, but the goal is not punishment, but for lasting peace and fruitfulness through the gospel.

David sinned grievously as a believer and when he did not confess that sin, he bore the weight of it as expressed in Psalm 32 and in Psalm 51. Being convicted of that sin, he sought and found refreshment as he confessed his sin and appealed to the mercy and grace of God.

Psalm 32:1–4 [1] Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. [2] Blessed is the man against whom the LORD counts no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit. [3] For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. [4] For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer.

Psalm 51:8 [8] Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that you have broken rejoice.

Psalm 51:12 [12] Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.

We are believers; yet we still sin; and the weight of unrepentant sin can be crushing, but through David the Lord tells us we can know the blessing of refreshment through repentance.

One of the most outstanding examples of this I have seen happened after a man received church discipline for a particular sin. He moved on and for several years appeared to live unaffected by his sin.

Several years later, when confronted again, the man was convicted that he had stolen and lied so much, he didn’t even know what the truth was anymore and was brought to repentance. This brother said he had deeply felt the weight of his sin all those years. Now the weight was lifted and through repentance the “times of refreshing had now come.”

III. Final Repentance and Refreshment: I am not speaking of a final act of repentance that somehow contributes to our standing before God, but instead of God’s act of opening our eyes to see clearly who Jesus is (1 John 3:2). In that seeing him as he is, our minds will forever be changed, never again to faltering in worship, love, and praise.

As the hymn goes “what a day of rejoicing;” indeed, what a day of refreshment that will be, when all things will be restored in a new heaven and new earth (Acts 3:21).

One final thought that comes from The Law and the Gospel by John Colquhoun –

“While the law commands the tears of penitential sorrow to flow, the gospel, and the astonishing grace promised and offered in it, cause them to flow” (Zechariah 12:10).