Repentance is not the same thing as beating yourself up.
When you hear the word “repentance” or “repent”, what comes to mind? How does it make you feel?
Sometimes in church world, that word gets used to describe feeling so bad about doing wrong that you try really hard to do right instead. The Bible does indeed talk about that approach…and does not approve. (See Galatians 3:1-3.)
Sin should indeed cause us to grieve, but not stay there. It should cause us to want to change, but not by “trying really hard.”
Repentance is not drumming up your strength to “do the right thing.” It’s discovering the emptiness of sin and the delight of Christ Himself. THAT is what produces lasting change, and with it, lasting peace and joy.
– Pastor Phillip
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