WCF 15.2

15.2. Of Repentance unto Life

By it, a sinner, out of the sight and sense not only of the danger, but also of the filthiness and odiousness of his sins, as contrary to the holy nature and righteous law of God; and upon the apprehension of his mercy in Christ to such as are penitent, so grieves for, and hates his sins, as to turn from them all unto God, purposing and endeavouring to walk with Him in all the ways of His commandments.

Proof texts

• Ezek. 18:30, 31 — [30] “Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, declares the Lord GOD. Repent and turn from all your transgressions, lest iniquity be your ruin. [31] Cast away from you all the transgressions that you have committed, and make yourselves a new heart and a new spirit! Why will you die, O house of Israel?
• Ezek. 36:31 — [31] Then you will remember your evil ways, and your deeds that were not good, and you will loathe yourselves for your iniquities and your abominations.
• Isa. 30:22 — [22] Then you will defile your carved idols overlaid with silver and your gold-plated metal images. You will scatter them as unclean things. You will say to them, “Be gone!”
• Ps. 51:4 — [4] Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment.
• Jer. 31:18, 19 — [18] I have heard Ephraim grieving, ‘You have disciplined me, and I was disciplined, like an untrained calf; bring me back that I may be restored, for you are the LORD my God. [19] For after I had turned away, I relented, and after I was instructed, I struck my thigh; I was ashamed, and I was confounded, because I bore the disgrace of my youth.’
• Joel 2:12, 13 — [12] “Yet even now,” declares the LORD, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; [13] and rend your hearts and not your garments.” Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster.
• Amos 5:15 — [15] Hate evil, and love good, and establish justice in the gate; it may be that the LORD, the God of hosts, will be gracious to the remnant of Joseph.
• Ps. 119:128 — [128] Therefore I consider all your precepts to be right; I hate every false way.
• 2 Cor. 7:11 — [11] For see what earnestness this godly grief has produced in you, but also what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what longing, what zeal, what punishment! At every point you have proved yourselves innocent in the matter.
• Ps. 119:6, 59, 106 — [6] Then I shall not be put to shame, having my eyes fixed on all your commandments. [59] When I think on my ways, I turn my feet to your testimonies; [106] I have sworn an oath and confirmed it, to keep your righteous rules.
• Luke 1:6 — [6] And they were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and statutes of the Lord.
• 2 Kings 23:25 — [25] Before him there was no king like him, who turned to the LORD with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his might, according to all the Law of Moses, nor did any like him arise after him.

For discussion

1. The Assembly cited Ezek. 18:30, 31 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
2. 12 passages are cited here. Which does the most work, and is anything claimed that the proofs do not obviously carry?
3. WSC Q87 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
4. WLC Q76 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?

Read alongside

WSC Q87 · WLC Q76 · WSC Q85 · WSC Q86 · BC 6.3 · BC 6.4 · BC 6.5 · HC Q86 · 1689 15.1 · 1689 15.2 · 1689 15.3 · 1689 15.4 · 1689 15.5 · SD 15.1 · SD 15.2 · SD 15.3 · SD 15.4 · SD 15.5 · IAR 5.6 · SC60 5.1 · SC60 5.2 · SC60 5.3 · SC60 5.4 · SHC 5.1 · SHC 5.2 · SHC 5.3