I am a sinner. And so are you.
As such, regret for our failings should come naturally to us as believers.
Repentance is more than a casual "sorry". It means feeling actual sorrow for turning away from the desires of God. It involves a renewal of our hearts and minds. We offer a sincere apology to Our Heavenly Father whose desire for us is to live a truly complete and joyful life. Being repentant, we decide to turn away from that sin which led to his sorrow (and our own). It also means being obedient and seeking his will. God loves us too much to see us wander thru places which cause us, or others pain.
He also warns us that continually unrepentant sin will create spiritual pain. Ultimately, the choice to turn away from God without repenting leads someone to hell, or a permanent separation from our loving, yet just, Father.
Why would anyone chose suffering instead of being with God, Our Father, who loves them and wants only the best for them?
God recognizes that we are not perfect.
Yet, in order to show him our love and respect, we need to despise our sin and follow his commandments. We will no doubt fall into sin again, it's human nature. Yet, he offers us forgiveness based off of his goodness.
Thru Jesus Christ's atoning death upon the Cross, that sin has been forgiven by God. There is an unbelievable joy that through the gift of grace God would be able to forgive and love us despite our many failings.
To not consider our own responsibility, however, for that sin, shows disrespect for, and saddens, Our Father.
Jesus Christ gave us a clear picture in the parable of the Prodigal Son as to how lovingly we will be received upon turning aside from evil and choosing to follow good. In this parable, a son is reckless with his father's money. He squanders it on materialistic things he thinks will make him happy, yet finds himself only miserable and regretful:
Luke 18-24 KJV
18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,
19 And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.
20 And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.
21 And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.
22 But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:
23 And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry:
24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.
What a beautiful ending from a sorrowful beginning. Let's choose an abundant life of joy over sin and suffering. We do not know the day or the hour Christ will return for judgement. Let us not delay in reaching out for Our Loving Father's open arms.
-Melanie DiLeo
Amen