The Gift of Repentance

This is the first of a two-part series about the gift of repentance. What it is. What it involves and how it applies to people according to Scripture. From Apostle Paul, in his letter to Timothy his close companion, he writes about godly living and what that specifically looks like in practice. In context, Paul exhorts Timothy on conduct befitting him as the Lord’s servant. That by doing so, God may grant his adversaries or opponents repentance. This short post is a fresh look at John Piper’s lab about the topic and how repentance comes about in a person’s life.

Part 1

There is a war happening for your soul. On one side, Satan is scheming to enslave you to sin and blind you to the beauty of God. But God, by His power, is able to lead you to faith, repentance, and freedom. How is the war won? John Piper looks at several key verses in this lab.

And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will. – 2 Timothy 2:24–26

Outline

Repentance as Transformation (01:29–04:54)

Unrepentant people lack the knowledge of the truth, are captured by the devil, and have lost their senses.
God alone grants repentance. When it comes, it comes from him.
Repentance is a deep inner change in a person—change of mind, of heart, and of soul—that leads to a knowledge of the truth.
Knowledge alone is not enough. Unbelieving and unrepentant people even demons—can know a lot of true things about God.
True knowledge of God sees Jesus as beautiful, compelling, and infinitely valuable.
The kind of knowledge that leads to freedom and a right, vibrant relationship with God is grounded in repentance.

Salvation as Sight (04:54–08:32)

Coming to their senses (2 Timothy 2:26) corresponds with repentance (2 Timothy 2:25).
Repentance is a change of heart, in which we reacquire our ability to think and feel rightly.
Escaping from the snare of the devil (2 Timothy 2:26) corresponds with coming to a knowledge of the truth (2 Timothy 2:25).
The devil does not snare us by binding our hands against our will. When we’re under his power, we hate the right and love the wrong. No, the devil ensnares us through deception. He holds us in captivity by blinding us.

The Gift of God (08:32–10:51)

Our Condition: We were snared by Satan, and were blinded by him.
Our Repentance: God gives repentance, and restores our senses.
Our Knowledge: Repentance leads to knowledge that treasures Christ.
Our Freedom: We are now free from the captivity to do the devil’s will, and free now to do the will of God.

Study Questions

Based on 2 Timothy 2:25–26, how would you describe yourself before God granted you repentance? What language does Paul give to describe our condition?
Is there true knowledge of God that does not spring from repentance? Can you think of examples in the Bible?
How does the devil ensnare people? And how does God defeat their bondage to the devil?

Related Resources

• God Desires All to Be Saved, and Grants Repentance to Some (1976 article)
• Is Election Divine Favoritism? (interview)
• My Prayer to God Is That They Might Be Saved (sermon)

Piper, J. (2014–2015). Look at the Book Labs (2 Ti 2:24–26). Minneapolis, MN: Desiring God.

Part 2

This is the second part of the two-part series. Part 1 presented what the gift of repentance looks like in practical and biblical terms. As referenced in Apostle Paul’s written letter to Timothy, we have what he specifically intended as to what repentance means and how his conduct is an agent toward the repentance of others.

God makes the objects of the miracle of repentance agents of the miracle of repentance. In Part 1 of this two-part series, John Piper established that it is God who decisively brings repentance for any sinner. Now, he asks what role, if any, we have in bringing about that repentance for others.

Outline

Introduction, Prayer & Review (00:00–03:10)

Only God gives repentance—a deep heart/mind/soul change.
This repentance leads to a true knowledge of the truth, beyond the knowledge of Satan and of unbelievers.
By this repentance (and the true knowledge it brings), we escape the snare of the devil, which is his deception.

Traits of the Agents of Repentance (03:10–07:50)

When God grants repentance, it leads to a knowledge of the truth. But where did that truth come from? The Lord’s servant. Repentance is always a response to truth. Therefore, we must speak the truth.
We must speak with clarity and competence.
We must speak with love. The Lord’s servant is not quarrelsome—not easily angered. The Lord’s servant patiently expects and endures evil. The Lord’s servant is gentle, even when correcting someone.

Sent to Open the Eyes of the Blind (07:50–10:49)

Yes, God is sovereign in the granting of repentance.
But, we should never conclude that we do not have to do anything to bring others to faith and repentance. The Bible clearly says that the Lord’s servant—you and me—are essential for God’s saving work.
God makes the objects of the miracle of repentance agents of the miracle of repentance. (Acts 26:18)

Study Questions

Who is “the Lord’s servant” in 2 Timothy 2:24? List all the qualities Paul gives for the Lord’s servant in that verse.
If the repentance that God brings leads to a knowledge of the truth, what is that truth, and where does it come from?
Look again at 2 Timothy 2:24–26. If God sovereignly, decisively grants repentance, why do we have to do anything?