Repentance of sin

Yesterday, we studied in the ninth chapter of Ezra and saw that we need to recognize sin because of our knowledge of the Word of God. The scriptures show us what is right, and what is wrong -- and they show us what sin does to people, too.

What is step two? Once we see that we've done wrong, what do we do?
The godly reaction to sin is to mourn and to repent of it.
When Ezra heard from the leaders about the sin of God's people, he tore his garment and his robe and pulled hair from his head and his beard. He sat down appalled. That may sound extreme to us, and the tearing has a lot to do with the culture of the time. But the important thing to me is that he was appalled.

When I heard this, I tore my tunic and cloak, pulled hair from my head and beard and sat down appalled. 4 Then everyone who trembled at the words of the God of Israel gathered around me because of this unfaithfulness of the exiles. And I sat there appalled until the evening sacrifice. (Ezra 9:3-4)

Perhaps this is something that is missing in the lives of many believers today. Indeed, missing from many of our churches today. If sin doesn't appall us, then do we truly believe that sin provokes the wrath of our holy God?
These are the words of Jesus:

Blessed are those who mourn,    for they will be comforted. (Matthew 5:4)

Does the church today have a "defective" view of sin? Do we even hear much about the doctrine of sin?  Perhaps the reason why professing Christians lack real joy is that they have never truly experienced conviction of their sins.

We must be convicted of our sins before we can experience joy of being redeemed from them! But people today don't like the doctrine of sin. In fact, they dislike it intensely, and they really object pretty strenuously to hearing it preached!
They want what some preachers call "a relationship" but not "redemption." Redemption means that there is something wrong with their lives that must change. Not what they want to hear.
Make a "decision" for Christ, the preachers intone. A decision about what? Unless the doctrine of sin is preached, how do people know what it is that stands between them and God? How can they effect change?
Many have thought they were restored, like the prodigal son, but they've not said, "Father, I have sinned." They've skipped the step where in the hog wallow, the son realized he was miserable -- and he realized how to change it. How can people be healed if they don't know they are ill?
Yes, the "old-fashioned" view of sin is despised, and people are left unaware of the true message of God's gospel.
There is a popular Christian song today that sums up this problem:

 "If I didn't know what it hurt like to be broken
Then how would I know what it feels like to be whole?
If I didn't know what it cost like to be rejected
Then I wouldn't know the joy of coming home.
If I didn't know what it looked like to be dirty
Then I wouldn't know what it feels like to be clean.
And if all of my shame hadn't drove me to hide in the shadows
Then I wouldn't know the beauty of being free."  The Messengers

One of the distinguishing marks of a believer is that she mourns over sin - both her own and the sins of others. God changes our hearts in the new birth, and gives Christians new desires for holiness in our lives; He also imbues us with a hatred of sin.

Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. (Romans 12:9)

Let those who love the Lord hate evil,    for he guards the lives of his faithful ones
    and delivers them from the hand of the wicked. (Psalm 97:10)

Ezra was so well-versed, so steeped in the Word of God and in the history of His ways with His wayward people, that he knew God's discipline would fall again if the people didn't repent. Even though Ezra himself had not committed the sin, he mourned over it.
One thing to consider before we close for today: how do we mourn over our sins? When the Spirit convicts us, what is an effective way to grieve?
I believe the first thing is to name the sins in our prayers to the Father. To consider them and to realize what led us there; perhaps another sin made the offense possible. Naming them puts more of the responsibility on us. Secondly, take a long, hard look at our sin -- what has it cost us? Other people? What did it cost Jesus, our Savior?  Seeing our sins as costly will bring true sorrow, and we will desire to make changes in our lives.
Lastly, there is hope in mourning. In grieving over our sin, we can remember that as God shines His light on our sins, we can have faith in Christ's sacrifice on the cross. It is His grace and mercy that will allow us to go on, and to be free from our sin.

Have mercy on me, O God,    according to your unfailing love;
according to your great compassion    blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity    and cleanse me from my sin. (Psalm 51:1-2)

Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. (Hebrews 4:16)