I hear a lot of people on this forum think that forgiveness of God is about just a flippant saying I'm sorry and then going on. That's not what Grace is about for forgiveness.
My opinion about repentance is a total turning away from sin, being remorseful, and then getting down to business of asking God to help you learn how to stop repeating this sin and turning away from it.
Agree or disagree? Why or why not?
2007-03-14 03:09:18 · 26 answers · asked by Searcher 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I would agree but i think it also means being really sorry for the sins you commited and not just saying your sorry because thats what your God wants you to do. I think people often confuse repentance with forgiveness. You can't earn forgiveness it has to be given freely. Repentance is more of an emotional experience thing then an action taken...at least to me.
2007-03-14 03:14:01 · answer #1 · answered by jdw1970 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I agree. Repentance is MUCH more than just say "Sorry." Yes, you need to express godly sorrow and remorse, but you also need to turn away from the sin, confess those sins not only to God, and when needed, to the proper authorities. You also need to make restitution to the person or people who this sin affects. Sometimes that can't be done, but when it can be done, it must. And we must also forgive ourselves. God will forgive whom He will forgive, but of us it is required that we forgive ALL people, that includes ourselves. Sometimes that can be the hardest things of all to do. We are SO hard on ourselves. It's been said that heaven will not be composed of those who rarely made mistakes or commited only a few sins while hear on earth, but of those who made all kinds of mistakes and committed all kinds of sins, and repented of them. That those in heaven will master repenters.
2007-03-14 03:28:17 · answer #2 · answered by Tonya in TX - Duck 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well stated. I totally agree with you and believe the Bible supports you definition of repentance, which is more important than any of our answers, right? I'll just add that repentance, like a multivitamin, is something I have to do daily, and I'm not, for one moment, being flippant. God bless you.
2007-03-14 03:16:46 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I somewhat agree. The part I disagree with is: learn how to stop repeating this sin.
It is not asking God help you
learn how to
stop repeating this sin, but you, with a made up mind to turn away from this sin and any other sin, live right, and allow God to control your life.
2007-03-14 03:24:49 · answer #4 · answered by 1saintofGod 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree say a person goes to church on sunday and ask god to forgive him or her for there sins, but then come monday they go out and commit the same sins again maybe they are really not sorry.
2007-03-14 03:54:46 · answer #5 · answered by Sporty 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree, to repent is to completely turn away from the sin you committed! It is the next step of forgiveness in my opinion
2007-03-14 03:14:41 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Genuine repentence is a completely humbling experience. Anyone who has been so humbled will make a sincere effort to recognize their sin and refrain from it. It's not the same as being sorry.
2007-03-14 03:23:05 · answer #7 · answered by cmw 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Anyone can say "I repent from what I have done," but it is another thing to walk the walk. I believe repentance only comes with Godly sorrow as it says in 2 Corinthians 7:10 -Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.
2007-03-14 03:23:05 · answer #8 · answered by Light Bringer 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Repentance means a complete turning around from wrong doing when we know we have done wrong.
For example, if I know that smoking cigarettes is wrong (because it shows a total lack of respect for the life that God gave me), and I pray for forgiveness, but continue to smoke, then I am not really repenting and it is futile for me to even ask for forgiveness. On the other hand, when I realize that this was wrong, and I quit smoking and ask for forgiveness, then my prayer will be heard...I have turned around from my bad behavior, I have shown true repentance. Then and only then will God listen to me...he will give me the strength to stick with my decision to quit. Really, all we have to do to quit anything that we know is wrong is to make the decision to quit and then do it. It is our decision either to continue, or to quit. We have to begin to take responsiblity for our actions and our behaviors, God gave us free will for us to exercise it.
James 4:8: "Subject yourselves, therefore, to God; but oppose the Devil, and he will flee from YOU. 8 Draw close to God, and he will draw close to YOU. Cleanse YOUR hands, YOU sinners, and purify YOUR hearts, YOU indecisive ones."
In other words, make the right decision and stick to it, don't use whatever excuse and then think that God will take you seriously when you ask for forgiveness. Draw close to God, make the first move.
I am not saying that we are perfect or even can be in this system of things, only that we do have a lot more ability to control our actions and behaviors than many people want to admit, and instead of expecting god to do the work, we have to do our part, and we can.
2007-03-14 03:29:40 · answer #9 · answered by wannaknow 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree. It is a complete U-turn from that sin and trusting God that the sin will be eliminated.
2007-03-14 03:30:47 · answer #10 · answered by Jeancommunicates 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋