Thomas Watson’s The Doctrine of Repentance is, in my opinion, a must read for all Christians. Watson’s explication of biblical repentance is humbling and encouraging.
On turning from sin and turning to God, Watson writes:
It must be such a turning from sin—and turning unto God.
This is in the text, “that they should repent and turn to God” (Acts 26:20). Turning from sin is like pulling the arrow out of the wound; turning to God is like pouring in the balm. We read in scripture of a repentance from dead works (Heb. 6:1), and a repentance toward God (Acts 20:21). Unsound hearts pretend to leave old sins—but they do not turn to God or embrace his service. It is not enough to forsake the devil’s quarters—but we must get under Christ’s banner and wear his colors. The repenting prodigal did not only leave his harlots—but he arose and went to his father! It was God’s complaint, “They do not turn to the Most High God” (Hos. 7:16). In true repentance the heart points directly to God—as the compass needle to the North Pole.
Thomas Watson, The Doctrine of Repentance (Banner of Truth Trust, 1987).
