Tuesday, September 15, 2015

Bottoms Up...on repentance, that is...





Canadians have the reputation of being extremely apologetic; we say I’m sorry for every little oops and faux pas even though repentance never crosses our minds.
I remember being challenged with the ‘are you sorry you did it or sorry you got caught?’ question when I was young and I never forgot it…only the ‘sorry I did it’ reckons repentance.

Dr. Lakeland suggests this; a national repentance—from the bottom up, perhaps—may be our only hope.

We can apologize
Again and again
But only repentance
Brings about change

I’m sorry; the chieftain
Of Verbal fraud
Without Repentance
Before God

I’m sorry is nothing
But noisy Mouth-art
Without repentance
From the heart

© Janet Martin

Repent Definition;
1.  to feel sorry, self-reproachful, or contrite for past conduct; regret or be conscience-stricken about a past action, attitude, etc. (often followed by of):
He repented after his thoughtless act.
2.   to feel such sorrow for sin or fault as to be disposed to change one's life for the better; be penitent.
verb (used with object)
3. to remember or regard with self-reproach or contrition:
to repent one's injustice to another.
4.  to feel sorry for; regret:
to repent an imprudent act.

  Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord,

Acts 3:19 NIV

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