Regret, Remorse and Repentance
When a robber was caught red-handed during an act of robbery, he repented. However, his repentance was interesting. He said to police, “My time was not in my favour. So, I was caught.” In the robber’s worldview, his stars did not favour him, or he did not choose auspicious time to perform his profession. He regretted that he was caught as he was not ‘on guard’ or ‘did not plan well’. This kind of repentance would bring death only. Such people are worried about their honour or reputation or shame; rather than guilt and internal life of sinfulness or wretchedness. Paul writes, “For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death.” (I Corinthians 7:10)
For the robber, it was a regret, not repentance that did not have any sorrow or grief for his sinful nature or inclination to do an act of robbery. Regret is a thought in the mind. Mind has capacity to justify the sinful act. Remorse is combination of thoughts and feelings (emotion). There is sorrow or grief, but not strong enough to cause change. Repentance includes thoughts (why I am like this?), emotions (I feel ashamed, guilty and awkward) and ‘will’ (I do not want to be like this) – that determines to make a change. Regret and remorse does not bring life, but death. “For wages of sin is death.” (Romans 6:23)
Repentance can end-up as reform, which does not have spiritual aspect. True repentance is spiritual that can lead to eternal life provided the person receives Lord Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour. (John 1:12) True repentance, termed as Godly repentance, brings a person to the cross of Calvary. Such repentance longs for forgiveness that is available only through the Blood of Lord Jesus Christ. (I John 1:7)
Today, Godly repentance is becoming rare, worldly repentance is touted as ‘godly repentance’ in many churches.
Is Godly repentance, a spiritual exercise in our daily walk with God?
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jnmanokaran 