I will try, dear Ucant (peace to you!). Most people think (because they're taught) that "repentance" is about feeling bad about something you've done, etc. Forexample, from Wikipedia:
"Repentance is the activity of reviewing one's actions and feeling contrition or regret for past wrongs. It generally involves a commitment to personal change and resolving to live a more responsible and humane life. In religious contexts it usually refers to confession to God, ceasing sin against God in order to gain forgiveness or absolution. It typically includes an admission of guilt, a promise or resolve not to repeat the offense; an attempt to make restitution for the wrong, or in some way to reverse the harmful effects of the wrong where possible."
This definition, which is pretty close to what most believe repentance is, is actually much more complicated... and requires much more... than intended by the Most Holy One of Israel, JAH of Armies.
The Most Holy One of Israel knows that we are sinners... and will sin. So ceasing sin against God is virtually impossible. Which is why He provided the blood of His Son: repentance, while perhaps putting one in line to be forgiven does not necessarily result in forgiveness. Only one thing effectuates forgiveness: blood. Unless blood is poured out... there is no forgiveness of sin.
Along with that feeling remorse thing, that's good - one should feel bad about the wrongs one has committed; however, the statement was
"repent and turn around." Does that mean turn around and "sin no more"? Who of us can "sin no more", really? And if we could, what need to we have of a savior? He that is WITHOUT sin... can save himself, right? By means of his OWN righteousness?
But that is not what my Lord meant... or even said. He said, "YOUR sin... IS no more." Because once he had forgiven someone, their sin was "blotted out" (and he later gave his blood so as to effect that blotting out).
We repent, although feeling bad about something we've done, yes, by:
1. Not trying to hide that bad... from GOD. Which we do by covering it over... in our hearts... as if if we can't see it, neither can He. But nothing could be farther from the truth. (Genesis 3:8-11; John 2:23-25; Acts 5:3, 4). Like Adham, who tried to hide what was in HIM... with some leaves. His body was subsequently given a "long garment [of skin]" to cover his "nakedness"... the uncleanliness of his HEART. That is why my Lord said to cleans the INSIDE of the "cup"... because some ARE like white-washed graves: looking all good on the OUTSIDE, while INSIDE they are full of dead mens' bones.
2. Not trying to hide it from others, particularly from those we shouldn't. Starting with the one we may have wronged (Matthew 5:23, 24)... or others who may be "stumbled" by our wrong. Thus, we openly confess our sins... and not to some man sitting in a little booth or some tribunal in a back room. We don't "hide" what we are... or what's IN us... from others. Because when the Light eventually "goes on"... and he will... everyone's nakedness... that hasn't been "clothed" (Colossians 3:12-14)... will be revealed anyway (Hebrews 3:12-13).
3. Turning back... NOT to a particular way of life, doctrine, religion, etc., but to God... the ultimate Source from which we all came... by turning TO Christ. Why? So that that Light (John 1:3-10; 8:12) can shine upon us... and from that point reveal to US... BEFORE we sin... where we are naked... so as to be able to "clothe" ourselves and cover such over. BY means of his Light, Christ "shines" on us, the man we are on the INSIDE... so that we can "cover" the nakedness/uncleaness of that man. With love, the "perfect bond of union."
Because when we turn to that One... and come into union with him... we have the privilege, the wonderful GIFT... of having access to his BLOOD... to cover those sins which become DO manifest, that DO come out of of. (1 John 2:1, 2)
But the Most Holy One of Israel does not expect us to be perfect, as man tries to teach. He KNOWS what we're made of... and what's IN us. Sin... and those who exist in it... belong to Death/Destruction. Because Adham sold his post-sin progency TO Death/Destruction.
God... simply wants us to return to HIM... is ASKING us to do so... so that we can be SAVED... from Death/Destruction. He gave His Son to effect that saving. By means of that One... his blood... and his LIFE... our sins... can be covered over... so that Death cannot claim us... and we can have [everlasting] life.
I hope this helps, dear one.
Again, peace to you!
Your servant and a slave of Christ,
SA
