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I'm Really Sorry... Really

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This entry was posted on 8/4/2008 8:36 AM and is filed under CS Lewis.

I'm really sorry about... you know... that thing.  Really!

When someone has hurt us and wants to be back in a restored relationship with us, how do we know when they are sincere?  It is impossible to see the heart, so we must rely on their words and actions. However because God does see our hearts, this makes C.S. Lewis' quote all the more intriguing to me on repentance.

"This repentance, this willing submission to humiliation and a kind of death, is not something God demands of you before He will take you back and which He could let you off if He chose: it is simply a description of what going back to Him is like.  If you ask God to take you back without it, you are really asking Him to let you go back without going back. It cannot happen."

 
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    • 8/4/2008 9:23 AM Carrie wrote:
      Repentance and Forgiveness are two hard things to do. For anyone. As a parent, I'm reminded of hearing my young children say "I'm sorry." and my following that statement of theirs with "You're sorry for what?" because I wanted them to understand what they had done wrong.

      I'd like to think that God is like that with us. "Lord, this isn't going the way I thought. Something needs to change. I wish it were different. I'm sorry."

      I see Him listening patiently and then saying thoughtfully, "I hear you, C. You're sorry for what...exactly?"

      It is at that moment when I examine my own heart's desires that I can see more clearly what I need to repent of...what I am sorry for...

      and how desperately I need God.

      On the other hand, forgiveness is a practice for some of us. It doesn't come easily. And because we aren't God...we need to forgive. Frequently.

      Sigh.

      It isn't easy. And we'd like to think that we can qualify our forgiveness. Put expectations and rules and regs with our forgiveness.

      I don't think we (as Christians) are supposed to do that.

      Ephesians 4:32 reminds us to 'be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.'

      So, just like a child who has to understand what "I'm sorry" really means....the other person involved needs to make sure that 'forgiveness is given'. Apology accepted.

      Unforgiveness is just as damaging as unrepentance...
      Reply to this
      1. 8/7/2008 10:01 PM mah wrote:
        Yep... good thoughts on qualifying forgiveness... it seems like it kind of gets back to the heart again.
        Reply to this
    • 8/6/2008 6:27 PM Blogger-dude wrote:
      I understand the part about not really being able to "go back" without true repentance.... without the repentance (real, true, sincere, acted-upon...) it's not really changing anything so it (you / me) stay the same with no difference "in" us. No change, means staying the same. One of my favorite signs says, "The definition of Insanity is doing the same things over and over again and expecting different results." I think that is the essence of the message. HOWEVER...... what really blew me away is the concept that repentance is not something that GOD demands of us before HE will take us back...... this is an incedibly GOD-like trait, isnt' it??!!??
      Reply to this
    • 8/6/2008 8:56 PM Rebel Nazarite wrote:
      Question:

      Why are we so afraid to expect God to demand something from us?

      Maybe God does not demand us to repent but He sure dictated that repentance is key.

      Semantics what a lovely game to play.
      Reply to this
      1. 8/6/2008 9:58 PM Blogger-dude wrote:
        I don't think semantics is a lovely game to play, especially with GOD. And I do fear GOD and HIS commands (or "dictates") because I know my sin nature results in disobedience and thus HIS disappointment and in turn, HIS wrath (Ephesians 5:3-6). And GOD does demand (command) us to repent (Ezekiel 18:30) too.

        I had just not considered the idea that HE does not have to wait for our repentance to "take us back." It's an awesome thought.
        Reply to this
    • 8/7/2008 10:07 PM mah wrote:
      : ) God demanding something of us... interesting... sounds like it could be a fun separate thread.

      I like both your thoughts... I was actually more fascinated with the oxymoron of going back without really going back... or turning around without repenting. To me it's like saying, I'd like to be a better husband without actually having to become a better husband.

      I may stay on Lewis' train of thought here for next week.
      Reply to this
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