We’ve all seen this before.
A high profile business person,
bureaucrat, politician - and maybe even a so-called 'Man of God'
is caught doing or saying something that is embarrassing, immoral,
or illegal. Instead of doing the honorable thing
they fast-talk an insincere, excusable response by saying they REGRET
the incident, or APOLOGIZE in a vague round-about way, or self-righteously
declare the now familiar, infamous, and highly-insincere statement
“I Take Full Responsibility”
(but there is no follow-up or repercussions for what they did!)
What is really missing - both before God and man - is
to sincerely REPENT, but what does that word mean?
The underlying root meaning of repent literally means
To Change One’s Mind. That is, to come to the
full realization and responsibility that their transgression was
not only against themselves but against God, and to turn
and go in the opposite direction they were headed.
Friend, This is the heart of the message of the Bible!
John the Baptist’s first declaration was
“REPENT! For The Kingdom Of Heaven Is At Hand!” (Matthew 3:2)
Then after Jesus was baptized and began his ministry His first
declaration likewise was
“Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matthew 4:17)
You see, both dealing with 'regret' and 'apologies' are
Past-Tense offenses, but 'Repentence' is a both a
Present-Tense AND FUTURE-TENSE
reality for all that are obedient,
because after repentance there is always wholeness and peace.
The decision to repent or not repent of your sins is entirely up to you,
but once again please reconsider these words:
“For godly sorrow
WORKETH Repentance To SALVATION
not to be repented of:
but the sorrow of the world
WORKETH DEATH.” - 2 Corinthians 7:10
Like
