One of the hindrances to repentance is the point that some have never seen a Christian in their circle demonstrate how it is done.
Repentance is one of those categories where we suddenly remember our manners and insist that someone else should go first.
Beware of being patronizingly sympathetic to a repentant person. You may be making it more difficult for them if they have had to overcome the obvious need and still more obvious absence of it in your own life.
Repentance, simply put, is about drawing different conclusions than those which have controlled our thoughts and actions. Sometimes the change is radical enough to need tears; sometimes it is refreshing enough to call for joy; but always - whether in tears or joy, whether with or without words - its reality is known through change.
Repentance is not a word we hear much any more, sadly. Thank you for these teaching moments.
ReplyDeleteThis is one of the best I've read!
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