Repentance

Repentance is a very important part of what it means to be a Christian. It is linked with forgiveness - as we repent, we can know our sins to be forgiven. We need to realise that repentance is to be an ongoing part of the Christian life. It is not enough to say "I repented X years ago when I became a Christian." We continue to sin and therefore lead a life of repentance.

Repentance is more than just being sorry for what we have done wrong. Sometimes we are only sorry because we have been found out, or because our reputation has suffered because of what we have done. True repentance involves a turning in the other direction. In other words, if we do something wrong in future we will want to do the exact opposite.

We need to show repentance in our dealings with others. If we have wronged someone else, we must go to them, show true sorrow (not simply remorse), and ask for their forgiveness.

Our attitude must be one of forgiveness as well. This then raises the issue as to whether we can forgive someone if they show no repentance. People will point to the example of God and us and tell us that he will not forgive us unless we repent. BUT, I would argue that if we say that we have things the wrong way around. God isn't sitting there waiting for us to repent and then saying "he has repented, therefore I can forgive him." It is the other way around. Our repentance is a response to his forgiveness. We cannot actually receive that forgiveness if the repentance is not there, but it is not the repentance that produces forgiveness.

So to follow that example - we are to have an attitude of forgiveness even if the other person shows no repentance. They will not receive that forgiveness unless they repent, but we should always be willing to give it.

Let us as Christians continue to live a life of repentance and forgiveness.