Contrition is a five dollar word with a practical nickel explanation. Webster defines it as “the state of feeling remorseful and penitent.” A synonym for it is the Christian word “repentance”. The key of repentance is to understand that it is a two-part expression and commitment. It is feeling remorse for our sins and in asking God for forgiveness we commit our lives to living more Godly as we go forward.
If we don’t understand the importance of both parts of repentance, then our lives continue on the “hamster wheel” of sin with little hope of our lives growing and fulfilling the purpose God has for us.
Forgiveness
But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.
1 John 1:9
Penitent Commitment
And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. 2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
Romans 12:1-2
Confession leads us by the Word of God to recognizing our sins and subsequently our need for forgiveness. Genuine repentance brings us to know we stand in need of a salvation that we cannot earn on our own. This human journey we are on here should bring us closer to God in our lives.
With that as our foundation then sin can simply be defined as anything that puts distance between us and God. Sin can be things we do that harm ourselves or others as well as things we may not do ( omit ) that result in harming ourselves or others.
Our forgiveness then is based on our confession of faith in Jesus Christ and that confession brings forgiveness. With the guilt of our sins removed from our lives we are free to live a full life for God without the weight of yesterday’s wrongs holding back the presence of Jesus in our lives today.
Our commitment in repentance brings us to God in prayer that we may live a full and pleasing life for him.
PRAYER
Please visit our How Can We Pray For You page if you want prayer.
LEARN MORE
Would you like to learn more about Beulah Hill Christian Church? Please check out the Who We Are Page. You can meet our Pastor and find out what the symbol of the Disciples of Christ is and its history.
Find us and connect with us on Facebook.
Leave a Reply