Repentance – 2 : Regret is not Repentance

 “Father God, please guide me as I write this article based on Your Word. Help me to write this to glorify You, and let Your words bring clarity to those who seek You. May Your truth help people discern and embrace correct beliefs. I pray and seek everything in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.”

I was inspired by Holy Spirit to watch this video on Youtube by David Diga Hernandez.
https://www.youtube.com/live/1-QPqw5hHeM

I like to start with a story

Once upon a time, there was a young man named Steve. He had grown up in a loving Christian home but had strayed from his faith during his college years. Making choices that he knew went against God’s teachings, Steve felt the weight of his actions as time went on.

One day, after facing the consequences of a particularly bad decision, Steve found himself filled with regret. He longed to undo the pain his choices had caused him and those around him. Alone in his room, he wondered if there was any hope for him to change and start anew.

The next day, Steve received a phone call from his grandmother, a strong woman of faith. Sensing Steve’s distress, she gently reminded him of God’s love and the power of repentance to transform lives. Quoting Acts 3:19, she said, “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.”

As they talked, Steve felt something stirring in his heart. He realized that regret alone wasn’t enough – he needed to repent and turn his life back to God. That night, he prayed, confessing his sins and asking for forgiveness. He also prayed for the strength and guidance to follow Christ and live according to His teachings.

Over time, Steve’s life began to change. He joined a local church, dove into studying the Bible, and surrounded himself with friends who encouraged him in his faith. Though the journey was challenging at times, Steve felt the peace and joy that come from walking with God.

Years later, as Steve reflected on his life, he was grateful for the lesson he had learned about regret and repentance. Through his experience, he had come to understand the depth of God’s love and the power of His transforming grace. Armed with this knowledge, Steve shared his story with others, encouraging them on their own paths toward healing and restoration.

The words spoke to me and the word that took me by surprise is “Regret is not Repentance” 

Sometimes in our faith journey, we feel really sorry about things we’ve done wrong. It could be because we made a bad choice, hurt someone, or got off track from what we believe. That feeling of deep sadness or disappointment is called regret. But it’s important to know that regret and repentance are different things.

Regret is just a feeling we humans have when we look back and wish we hadn’t done something. It makes us want to change and do better next time. But regret alone isn’t enough.

Repentance, on the other hand, is about more than just feeling bad. It’s a spiritual thing – it means saying sorry to God for the things we’ve done wrong and really meaning it. It’s like turning away from the bad stuff we’ve done and turning toward God for help to be better.

The big difference between regret and repentance is where they come from and what they lead to. Regret comes from us feeling sorry for our mistakes, but repentance is a gift from God. When we truly repent, God helps us change and forgives us.

In the Bible, there are lots of stories about repentance. Like the one about the son who did a bunch of bad stuff but then went back to his dad, who forgave him (Luke 15:11-32). Or King David, who said sorry to God after doing something really wrong (Psalm 51). These stories show how powerful repentance can be.

Real repentance isn’t just about saying sorry; it’s about wanting to change deep down inside. It’s like asking God to help us be better people and following His guidance.

As Christians, it’s important for us to know the difference between feeling sorry and truly repenting. Feeling sorry might make us want to ask for forgiveness, but it’s repentance that brings real change and healing. When we turn to God and ask for His help, He can make us new and lead us on the right path.

So let’s not just stop at feeling sorry for our mistakes. Let’s ask God for help to change and be better. When we do that, we’ll experience the amazing love and grace that He has for us.

Regret vs. Repentance

Hi there, my fellow believers in Christ! Have you ever found yourself dwelling on past mistakes and wishing you could turn back time? That feeling is what we call regret. Regret is pretty common, and it’s natural to feel guilty or disappointed in ourselves when things don’t go as planned. But did you know that regret isn’t the same as repentance? Let’s dive into what the Bible says about these two concepts.

What’s Regret All About?

Regret is basically that nagging, heavy feeling we get when we realize we’ve made a poor choice or hurt someone we care about. It’s that sense of “I wish I had done things differently” or “If only I could take it back.” Regret can be a real bummer and sometimes even lead to self-blame or disappointment. But the good news is, regret can also be a powerful wake-up call that leads to positive change in our lives.

So, What’s Repentance Then?

Repentance is a whole other ball game. It’s not just about feeling sorry for our actions; it’s about experiencing a deep change of heart, mind, and behavior. In a Christian context, repentance involves turning away from our sinful ways and turning towards God, driven by the conviction that comes from the Holy Spirit. It’s not just a one-time apology; it’s a lifelong commitment to follow Christ and align our will with God’s will.

What Does the Bible Say?

There are tons of examples and insights about repentance in the Bible. Let’s take a look at a few:

2 Corinthians 7:10: This verse reminds us that true, godly repentance leads to salvation, while worldly sorrow can be destructive.

Acts 3:19: Here, we see that repentance is an active process, urging us to turn to God so our sins can be wiped away.

Matthew 4:17: Even Jesus preached about repentance, calling on people to turn from their sins as the Kingdom of Heaven drew near.

Ezekiel 18:30-31: This passage explains that repentance involves getting a new heart and a new spirit, leaving our old sinful ways behind.

These scriptures show us that genuine repentance is all about turning away from our sins, embracing the forgiveness God offers through Jesus, and living a life that honors our Creator.

Wrapping It Up

While regret can be tough to deal with, it’s essential to remember that it’s not the same as repentance. True repentance is about a sincere change of heart, following Christ, and living in harmony with God’s will. By welcoming the transformative power of repentance into our lives, we can experience the grace and forgiveness found in a relationship with Jesus.

Repentance – 1

“Father God, please guide me as I write this article based on Your Word. Help me to write this to glorify You, and let Your words bring clarity to those who seek You. May Your truth help people discern and embrace correct beliefs. I pray and seek everything in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.”


I like to start with a story

Steve felt bad when he made mistakes and thought that feeling guilty meant he was repenting. One day, he read the Bible story of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15:11-32. This story helped him understand repentance better, with God’s guidance.

In the story, a son leaves home, spends all his money, and realizes he messed up. He returns home, and his father welcomes him with love and forgiveness. Steve thought about his own life and how he felt guilty but never really changed.

God showed Steve a Bible verse, 2 Corinthians 7:10, which says, “Feeling sorry in a godly way brings true change.” Steve realized that repentance isn’t just feeling bad – it’s about truly wanting to change with God’s help.

Steve studied another Bible story in Jonah, where a prophet tells people in Nineveh to repent. They listened and turned away from their sins. Steve saw that repentance is more than just a feeling; it’s about changing actions too.

Steve decided to let God work in his life. He saw that God is always ready to forgive, like the father in the Prodigal Son story. Steve noticed that he was changing for the better and was happier when he focused on following God’s plan instead of feeling guilty.

Steve’s story shows us how important God is in repentance. When we admit our mistakes and ask for God’s help, He guides us and gives us the power to change.

Introduction

Hi there fellow believers in Christ! Ever felt the need to change your ways and turn your life around? That’s repentance – an essential part of our spiritual journey. But where does this desire to repent come from? Is it something we conjure up on our own, or does it have a deeper, divine origin? Let’s explore how God plays an integral role in the process of repentance, and see how His love and guidance make transformation possible.

God’s Grace at Work

The first step in repentance is acknowledging our need for change and forgiveness. But here’s the thing – this realization doesn’t come from within ourselves. It’s actually a result of God’s grace working in our lives! As Paul tells us in Romans 2:4, “God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance.” It’s His love and mercy that open our eyes to the need for transformation and give us hope for a new beginning.

The Conviction of the Holy Spirit

Repentance starts with a powerful wake-up call: recognizing our sins and understanding their consequences. This spiritual awakening happens through the work of the Holy Spirit. As Jesus says in John 16:8, the Spirit “convicts the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment.” This conviction shines a light on our wrongdoing and inspires us to seek a fresh start.

Transformation From Within

When we let God take the driver’s seat, He begins to reshape our thoughts and desires, giving us the strength to live according to His will. Romans 12:2 puts it this way: “Be transformed by the renewing of your minds.” Through the guidance of the Holy Spirit and the wisdom of God’s Word, our thoughts and actions start to align with His divine purpose.

God’s Everlasting Love

Repentance isn’t a one-time thing – it’s a lifelong journey. But here’s the good news: God’s love and forgiveness never run out! Check out what 1 John 1:9 says: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” No matter how many times we stumble, God’s mercy and grace are always there to pick us back up.

In Psalm 103:8-12, we’re reminded that God is “slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love,” and that He has “removed our sins as far as the east is from the west.” His boundless love gives us the confidence to keep pursuing repentance and growth.

Conclusion

So, there you have it – repentance is a divinely guided journey of transformation. While we certainly play a part in the process, it’s God’s grace, the conviction of the Holy Spirit, and the renewal of our minds that make true change possible. When we let Him take the lead and trust in His unfailing love, we can experience the fullness of His redemption and embrace the new life He offers.