Reading Classics Together: The Discipline of Grace, Chapter 11

The Discipline of Choices

This week’s reading for Tim Challies Reading Classics Together program was about the constant choices we make in developing Christlike habits of living. I’m going to quote my favorite bit of this chapter, a bit about the nature of genuine repentance and the truth that brings us to it.

Godly sorrow is developed when we focus on the true nature of sin as an offense against God rather than something that makes us feel guilty. Sin is an affront to God’s holiness, it grieves His Holy Spirit, and it wounds afresh the Lord Jesus Christ. It also gratifies Satan, the archenemy of God. Dwelling on the true nature of sin leads us to godly sorrow, which in turn leads us to repentance.

Having come to repentance, however, we must by faith lay hold of the cleansing blood of Christ, which alone can cleanse our consciences. In fact, it is faith in Christ and the assurance of the efficacy of His cleansing blood that leads us to repentance. 

Sometimes I find it hard to admit the extent of my sin to myself and to God, even though I know, deep down, that it’s there and it’s ugly. But the gospel is the key to true repentance. There’s no reason to hide sin when there is a sure way for me to be cleansed of it. This is another reason for me to constantly preach the gospel to myself. Knowing and believing the gospel with all my heart is what allows me to let myself see my sin as it is so I can seek God’s forgiveness.

Next week’s reading is chapter 12, The Discipline of Watching.