In days gone by, it was not uncommon to hear those around us say that a sound primary education consisted of reading, writing, and arithmetic; or as it was coined in the more common saying, “the three R’s”: Reading, Riting, and Rithmetic. However, our concern today is not with those “three R’s”, but with the following more important ones: Reflection, Repentance and Resolve.

“Reflection” is a healthy spiritual discipline, especially, if it is practiced at the end of each day. In so doing, we would rejoice in calling to memory the many graces and mercies that our God has provided for us. Of course, making this discipline a weekly, monthly, or even an annual discipline would also be very beneficial.

During such a time, by God’s grace, we would also recognize our many failures, inconsistencies, and mistakes which could have been avoided if we had better spent our time with God and His Word for guidance, if we had spent much more unrushed time in prayerful waiting-upon Him, if we had taken the time to discipline ourselves for the purpose of godliness (1 Timothy 4:7), and lastly, if we had exercised the evangelical grace of self-control (Galatians 5:23a). “Repentance” is the most beautiful of the “three Christian’s R’s” because it is something which God grants to us in grace (Acts 11:18; 2 Timothy 2:25). It is the mark of a true believer (Luke 13:3; Acts 17:30) to continuously fight against (Ecclesiastes 7:20; 1 John 1:9; Proverbs 24:16) and mortify (Romans 8:13; I Corinthians 9:27) this vile thing called “remaining sin” through “the” repentance that is without regret (2 Corinthians 7:9-10).

What then is Biblical Repentance? It is a change of mind that leads to a turning from self and sin to God (1 Thessalonians 1:9). It is to be sorry for your sin, and to hate and forsake it because it is displeasing to God (Proverbs 28:13). It is what the Shorter Catechism describes as being that action of the sinner whereby he is moved, “...out of a true sense of his sin, and an apprehension of the mercy of God in Christ, does, with grief and hatred of his sin, turn from it unto God, with full purpose of, and endeavor after, new obedience” (from The Modest Baptist revision of the WSC, Q.90).

Those who follow this path toward a life of practical Godliness have been called “repenting repenters”, or those who have lived a life characterized by repentance. And finally, “Resolve”. This is a wise experiential step, taken each day, is absolutely indispensable for living a vibrant Christian life. Why? Because it is highly honorable to the living God that His children not only acknowledge where they must make holy adjustments for their own personal sanctification, but also because it is absolutely vital that they wholeheartedly determine to follow the narrow course of normal evangelical obedience!

May our God enable us to humbly emulate the words of King David toward this resolute end, “I have set the LORD always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken” (Psalms 16:8)! Soli Deo Gloria!!

Jerry Marcellino is pastor of Audubon Drive Bible Church in Laurel. He can be reached by e-mail at pastorjerry@audubonchurch.org.