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.