the bible says in Mark 1:15 "The time is fulfilled, and the Kingdom of God is at hand: repent, and believe the gospel." I believe it's more then saying you're sorry, you should be sorry, you've sinned against God. I think there is a difference in saying your sorry and repenting, what do you think?
2007-04-04 04:26:52 · 18 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Hey everyone, great answers. I just wanted to make sure people out there aren't basing their eternal destination on feeling sorry. It's repentance and faith in Jesus Christ that will get you to Heaven. I invite all you guys to join the group I created last night. We will discuss topics just like this and encourage one another to be like Jesus. The link to the group is http://groups.yahoo.com/group/christian_character
2007-04-04 05:45:57 · update #1
Being sorry is just that - being sorry. Repenting is to "turn away" from your sin. Walk away from it. Make a consious decision to never do that sin again.
2007-04-04 04:31:50 · answer #1 · answered by B 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I agree.
Feeling sorry means feeling sympathy, pity, or regret. This can be at any amount from true repentance to just being sorry you got caught.
Repentance, or contrition, is sorrow of the soul and hatred for the sin committed, together with a resolution not to sin again. Contrition is the most important act of the penitent, and is necessary for forgiveness
Here is a common Catholic prayer of Contrition:
My God,
I am sorry for my sins with all my heart.
In choosing to do wrong
And failing to do good,
I have sinned against you
whom I should love above all things.
I firmly intend, with your help,
to do penance,
to sin no more,
and to avoid whatever leads me to sin.
Amen.
With love in Christ.
2007-04-04 11:43:22 · answer #2 · answered by imacatholic2 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Being sorry is like apologizing for an accident one caused. Repentance is coming before God burdened in your heart by the very FEAR of dying in your sins before resolving them with God. The Scripture teaches that we are to "repent with a GODLY (holy, humble, etc.) sorrow," not just say the words, but MEAN them!
2007-04-04 12:52:55 · answer #3 · answered by bigvol662004 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, there's a difference. "I'm sorry" is sort of generic compared to "repenting." Repenting is not only saying your sorry, but asking forgiveness and turning completely away from your sin(s). It's admitting to God that you're a sinner, asking forgiveness, accepting and receiving the gift of salvation through Jesus Christ, who died on the cross to redeem us of our sins, and asking for God's help in not only turning away (repenting) of our sins, but turning our entire life around for the better.
2007-04-04 11:58:38 · answer #4 · answered by Evan S 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The difference between "sorry" and "repentance" is that repentance goes beyond sorry and turns around and goes the other way. Somethines people are sorry that they were cought, sometimes people realize that they have made a mistake, but repentance turns away from that mistake and purposes to do things right.
2007-04-04 11:58:37 · answer #5 · answered by self_is_steam 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
To repent means to actually do something different, not just say some words. True repentance would be indicated by someone turning away from something and going the opposite direction. That would be easily observed by others.
2007-04-04 11:34:08 · answer #6 · answered by creationrocks2006 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The word repent means to turn away from. So if you repent you don't do it any more. You can be sorry about an action and continue to do it. I'm sorry I ever started smoking. I need to repent of these cigarettes.
2007-04-04 11:31:38 · answer #7 · answered by slinda 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Repenting means being sorry and not doing what you did wrong anymore.
If you're headed somewhere and find out you're going in the wrong direction, the first thing you do is stop(that's repenting). Next, you make an effort to turn around and travel in the right direction(that's converting).
Just being sorry doesn't mean much; you could be headed in the wrong direction forever and think "man, I shouldn't be going this way"
2007-04-04 11:30:45 · answer #8 · answered by DwayneWayne 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I can't explain what being sorry is, but "repentance is one of the first principles of the gospel and is essential to our temporal and eternal happiness. It is much more than just acknowledging wrongdoings. It is a change of mind and heart that gives us a fresh view about God, about ourselves, and about the world. It includes turning away from sin and turning to God for forgiveness. It is motivated by love for God and the sincere desire to obey His commandments."
2007-04-04 11:31:02 · answer #9 · answered by joatman71 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
There's not too much of a difference, but with repenting you are not only sorry for your sins, but will also turn away from your sins. Which means no longer committing your sins.
2007-04-04 11:32:53 · answer #10 · answered by angelcat 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋