Does Repentance have different stages of development?
Repentance has different stages of development. 1) In its lowest form it may arise from fear of the consequences or penalty of sin. If it goes no farther than this it is simply remorse and must end in despair (i.e., Judas). 2) It deepens in character with the recognition of the baseness of sin itself. Its merely a burden of soul from which we may seek to free ourselves in vain till we recognize the great hope before us in the gospel. 3) It becomes more complete and powerful in those who have experienced the saving grace of God and thus realize more fully the enormity of sin and the depths of Gods grace operative in their salvation. Repentance is a gift of God (Acts 5:31; 11:18; Rom. 2:4) because God has given His Word (with its revelations concerning sin and salvation). His Spirit impresses the truth and awakens our consciences and leads us to repentance. As with faith, so with repentanceits up to us to respond to Gods gracious initiative. What is the relationship between repentance an
