Genuine Repentance
BY RICHARD G. MENDOZA, MPH, PHD
I think, if John the Baptist were here, he would rebuke many with regards to the pork barrel; and Jesus, if He were around, would likewise tell them, “ Repent of your sins and be reformed.”
It is not yet too late to abolish a system that is prone to corruption, and for all those guilty, to repent and mend their ways. The people’s cry is for those involved, to suff er the consequences of their misdeeds, be persecuted and jailed. Spiritually though, they could be forgiven if their repentance is sincere.
But how does one show genuine repentance? Let me explain for our guidance:
First, repentance is sorrow for sin and turning away from it, then, turning toward God. Repentance is a sorrowful feeling for something we did but we wish we didn’t do.
Second, repentance is a gift from God. Our carnal nature resists repentance. It cannot accept that we could do something wrong. God is the One guiding us; He drives us to repentance. The Holy Spirit generates a conviction of sin in us so we may come to Jesus, the source of forgiveness. The Bible says, “Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and long suff ering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?” (Romans 2:4)
The reason for our repentance differentiates between true and false repentance; it can be either “godly sorrow” or “worldly sorrow.” Paul declares in the Bible, “Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.” (2 Corinthians 7:10 NIV)
These repentance stories of Esau (Heb.12:17), The Pharaoh (Exo.12:29-32), Balaam (No. 22: 32-35) and Judas (Mat. 27:4-5) have something in common. None felt guilty for their sins but for the consequences of them. These are examples of false repentance.
To differentiate between the two types of repentance, notice the following contrasts:
True repentance
- Feeling sadness because of having sinned against God.
- Sincerely confessing the sin.
- No excuses, taking the blame.
- Deciding to get away from sin.
False repentance
- Feeling sadness because of the consequences of sin.
- Vaguely confessing the sin.
- Looking for excuses and other people to blame.
- Willing to repeat the sin if not suffering the consequences again.
The Easton Dictionary of the Bible further elaborates that, there are three Greek words used in the New Testament to denote repentance.
(1) The verb metamelomai means a change of mind, such as to produce regret or even remorse on account of sin, but not necessarily a change of heart. This word refers to the repentance of Judas (Matt 27: 3.)
(2) Metanoeo means to change one’s mind and purpose, as the result of after-knowledge.
(3) The cognate noun metanoia, when used with the verb metanoeo, means true repentance, a change of mind and purpose and life, to which remission of sin is promised.
Evangelical repentance consists of:
(1) a true sense of one’s own guilt and sinfulness; (2) an apprehension of God’s mercy in Christ; (3) an actual hatred of sin (Ps 119: 12 8; Job 42: 5 6; 2Cor 7: 10) and turning from it to God; and, (4) a persistent endeavor after a holy life in walking with God in the way of his commandments.
The true penitent is conscious of guilt (Ps 51: 4 9), of pollution (51: 5 7, 10), and of helplessness (51: 11; Ps 51: 4, 22). Thus he apprehends himself to be just what God has always seen him to be and declares him to be. But repentance comprehends not only such a sense of sin, but also an apprehension of mercy, without which there can be no true repentance (Ps 51: 1 130: 4)
Corrupt politicians and the scheming cohorts, fake-NGO people—whoever genuinely repent, God will forgive. And without prejudging them, the admission of their guilt, restitution/returning of what were stolen, suffering the other consequences of their sinful involvement and total abolition in whatever form of the pork barrel would indicate remorse and repentance on the part of our legislators and all who in one way or another benefitted illegally from this menace to the society.
And by the way, pork is not only bad for our country, it’s bad for our health too!
For comments, write me at chardgrace@yahoo.com
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