Repentance is a word that isn't heard much anymore. In the current mindset the word has become obsolete, it is no longer necessary. It is obsolete because there is another word that it works in conjunction with: sin. What was formerly referred to as sin has been rebranded.
The old fashion idea of sin has been replaced with "issues". A person doesn't do wrong instead they "have issues".
Sin has been replaced with “illness”. A person doesn't sin instead they are suffering from an illness.
What they did was not intentional it was a “mistake”.
The problem with replacing sin with: illness, issues and mistakes is that repentance is no longer a response to a person's choices and actions. Repentance is built on admitting wrong choices and taking responsibility for what has happened. Repentance is a change of mind that declares what I did was a sin, I'm responsible for what I've done and I accept the consequences.
Recently someone said to me “I've made peace with God.” The problem with their statement was that they were taking little or no responsibility for their actions. Repentance always takes responsibility.
The Apostle Paul wrote about the reaction of repentance in his second letter to the church in Corinth. “Godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death. For see what earnestness this godly grief has produced in you, but also what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what longing, what zeal, what punishment!” 2 Corinthians 7:10-11 ESV
This is what godly repentance looks like. Is there an area in your life where you need to declare something as sin, take responsibility and shoulder the consequences?
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