If consideration of God's holiness, which should prompt worship, leads us to a recognition of our unholiness (see previous post) how should we further respond? It seems only right that we would respond with repentance.
We can’t set God in his rightful place without realizing that we ourselves aren’t holy – that we don’t deserve that attentions, gifts, and greatness of God to bestow anything on us whatsoever, let alone whatever we might assume to pray about. Our only rightful response in that case is one of repentance. In other words, admitting to our wrongs, failures, and uncleanness.
This was Martin Luther’s first statement in his famous 95 Thesis,
We can’t set God in his rightful place without realizing that we ourselves aren’t holy – that we don’t deserve that attentions, gifts, and greatness of God to bestow anything on us whatsoever, let alone whatever we might assume to pray about. Our only rightful response in that case is one of repentance. In other words, admitting to our wrongs, failures, and uncleanness.
This was Martin Luther’s first statement in his famous 95 Thesis,
“When our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ said, 'Repent' (Matthew 4:17), he willed that the whole of life should be one of repentance.”
See, we can’t really pray, “Holy is Your name” without finding ourselves on our knees crying out with some form of repentance and pleas for forgiveness. So, to the extent that we take the time to pray “Holy is your name”, the more our prayers will also include our repentance.
There is a danger, however, that even our repentance can be fueled more by our pride than a proper vision of God's holiness. Tim Keller distills the difference between 'Religious-repentance' and 'Gospel-repentance',
There is a danger, however, that even our repentance can be fueled more by our pride than a proper vision of God's holiness. Tim Keller distills the difference between 'Religious-repentance' and 'Gospel-repentance',
“In 'religion,' the purpose of repentance is basically to keep God happy so He will continue to bless us and answer our prayers. So, in religion we are sorry for sin only because of its consequences. Sin will bring us punishment - and we want to avoid that, so we repent.
"The gospel, however, tells us that as Christian sin can't ultimately bring us into condemnation (Rom. 8:1). Its heinousness is therefore what it does to God: it displeases and dishonours Him. This in religion, repentance is self-centered; the gospel makes it God-centred. In religion we are mainly sorry for the consequences of sin, but in the gospel we are sorry for the sin itself."
QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF
- Why is repentance important to our prayers and relationship with God?
- How might you pray 'Holy be Your Name' with a focus on repentance.
It is well worth working through Tim Keller's study book, Gospel in Life. This is a highly recommended resource.