Category: Confession – Repentance

Remorse VS Repentance – the difference REALLY matters…REALLY

I’m taking a rest-break (sabbatical) – so this is pre-scheduled
post for your encouragement! 

In almost 20 years of Pastoral teaching and counseling, I’ve come to see the difference between remorse and repentance very clearly.  But sadly, many people don’t see the difference – ever.

Do you know the difference?

Remorse is bad feelings, regret, even depression because of something you’ve done or allowed.  It’s a nagging, gnawing feeling of personal “darkness” you can’t shake.  And it can haunt you for years, decades… a lifetime.  Remorse is the feeling you have because of guilt – REAL guilt – for an action or inaction that you KNOW was wrong.

But remorse is supposed to lead somewhere… somewhere important, somewhere vital!  I can’t recall where I read it, but I remember Martin Luther saying (paraphrased here) that guilt’s purpose is to lead us to repentance, to the cross; and that once it has served that purpose, we should be rid of it.  THAT is what we need to make sure we understand… remorse/guilt are intended by God to lead us to repentance.  What is repentance?

Repentance is coming to a place of sorrow over your wrong/sin – to the point that you are broken, contrite, and ready to change.  It’s not enough to feel sorry only… many people do that but never change the attitude, thinking, or actions that caused the action they are sorry about.  Repentance is humbling yourself, confessing your wrong, turning to Christ for forgiveness, and trusting in Him alone to help you make a change in your thinking and direction.

Mark Driscoll makes the point very strongly by comparing Judas with Peter.  It’s short, well worth watching…

Things you don’t repent of… but should – #8

I came across a very helpful list in Murray G. Brett’s book “Growing Up In Grace” that is taken from the Church of Scottland’s 1651 “Humble acknowledgement of the sins of the ministry.”  The list struck me as important, VERY important… so I’m going to make a series of posts, each containing 1 or 2 of these things you and I don’t typically repent over, but should.

  1. No change of life after solemn acknowledgements of wrong.
  2. Not learning the fear of God when others fall into sin… not mourning and praying for them.
  3. Neglecting the preparation of my mind and heart for gathered times of worship with God’s people.

Are there any you would add?

Things you don’t repent of… but should – #7

I came across a very helpful list in Murray G. Brett’s book “Growing Up In Grace” that is taken from the Church of Scottland’s 1651 “Humble acknowledgement of the sins of the ministry.”  The list struck me as important, VERY important… so I’m going to make a series of posts, each containing 1 or 2 of these things you and I don’t typically repent over, but should.

  1. Abusing our time in frequent recreation and pastimes and loving our pleasures more than God.
  2. Coveteousness, worldly mindedness, and an inordinate desire after the things of this world.
  3. Artificial confession of sin without repentance.

Are there any you would add?

Things you don’t repent of… but should – #6

I came across a very helpful list in Murray G. Brett’s book “Growing Up In Grace” that is taken from the Church of Scottland’s 1651 “Humble acknowledgement of the sins of the ministry.”  The list struck me as important, VERY important… so I’m going to make a series of posts, each containing 1 or 2 of these things you and I don’t typically repent over, but should.

  1. Seeking my own pleasure when the Lord calls for self-denial… for His sake.
  2. Being least careful of those things which are most remote from the eyes of others.
  3. Not mourning for our own and others’ guiltiness and great backsliding.

Are there any you would add?

Things you don’t repent of… but should – #5

I came across a very helpful list in Murray G. Brett’s book “Growing Up In Grace” that is taken from the Church of Scottland’s 1651 “Humble acknowledgement of the sins of the ministry.”  The list struck me as important, VERY important… so I’m going to make a series of posts, each containing 1 or 2 of these things you and I don’t typically repent over, but should.

  1. Speaking of Christ more by hearsay than from personal experience and knowledge.
  2. Not watching over my heart nor the things my mind most often goes to when in neutral.
  3. Not studying self-denial, nor resolving to take up the cross of Christ.

Are there any you would add?

Things you don’t repent of… but should – #4

I came across a very helpful list in Murray G. Brett’s book “Growing Up In Grace” that is taken from the Church of Scottland’s 1651 “Humble acknowledgement of the sins of the ministry.”  The list struck me as important, VERY important… so I’m going to make a series of posts, each containing 1 or 2 of these things you and I don’t typically repent over, but should.

  1. Negligence in entertaining a sense of sin’s guilt, misery, tyranny, and corrupting influences.
  2. Not given to reflect upon my own ways.
  3. Not allowing conviction to have a thorough work upon me.

Are there any you would add?

Things you don’t repent of… but should – #3

I came across a very helpful list in Murray G. Brett’s book “Growing Up In Grace” that is taken from the Church of Scottland’s 1651 “Humble acknowledgement of the sins of the ministry.”  The list struck me as important, VERY important… so I’m going to make a series of posts, each containing 1 or 2 of these things you and I don’t typically repent over, but should.

  1. Studying more to learn the language of holiness than the exercise of holiness.
  2. Glad to find excuses for the neglect of spiritual exercises and duties.
  3. Using entertainment which hinders my communion with God.

Are there any you would add?

Things you don’t repent of… but should – #2

I came across a very helpful list in Murray G. Brett’s book “Growing Up In Grace” that is taken from the Church of Scottland’s 1651 “Humble acknowledgement of the sins of the ministry.”  The list struck me as important, VERY important… so I’m going to make a series of posts, each containing 1 or 2 of these things you and I don’t typically repent over, but should.

  1. Practical legalism – offering fleshly, dutiful, legal obedience rather than gospel obedience, that is, the obedience that comes from faith in Christ.
  2. Not preaching the gospel to myself daily, nor taking delight in it for my own holiness
  3. Ignorance of God, His holy character, and His holy and just ways.

Are there any you would add?

Things you don’t repent of… but should – #1

I came across a very helpful list in Murray G. Brett’s book “Growing Up In Grace” that is taken from the Church of Scottland’s 1651 “Humble acknowledgement of the sins of the ministry.”  The list struck me as important, VERY important… so I’m going to make a series of posts, each containing 1 or 2 of these things you and I don’t typically repent over, but should.

  1. Acting to, from, and for ourselves rather than to, from, and for our God.
  2. Seeking a name for self rather than the honor of Christ.
  3. Trusting our natural abilities or past successes rather than depending on the Spirit.

Are there any you would add?

Will the real sinner please stand up!

From Murray G. Brett, in his book “Growing Up in Grace“

Working as a journalist in India, Malcom Muggeridge left his residence to go to a nearby river for a swim.  As he entered the water, across the river he saw an Indian woman from the village who had come to bathe.  Muggeridge impulsively felt the allurement of the moment.  Temptation stormed his mind.  He had lived with this sort of struggle for years but had somehow fought it off in honor of his commitment to his wife, Kitty.  On this occasion, however, he wondered if he could cross the line of marital fidelity.  He struggled just for a moment and then swam furiously toward the woman, literally trying to outdistance his conscience.  His mind fed him the fantasy that stolen water would be sweet, and he swam the harder for it.  now he was just two or three feet away from her, and as he emerged from the water, the desire that had held him in its grip was completely shattered by the horror he observed.  She was a leper!  The experience left Muggeridge trembling and he exclaimed under his breaeth, “Dirty lecherous woman!”  But then a greater horror overcome him.  It was not the woman who was lecherous and given over to excessive desire; it was he.  It was his own heart.  (from Ravi Zacharias’ boo, “Can Man Live Without God“)