What God wants is contrition. If there isn’t contrition, there isn’t full repentance.
True contrition, often referred to as "perfect contrition," is the sincere and complete remorse for sins committed, arising from a genuine love of God rather than merely the fear of divine punishment. Here are the key elements of true contrition, along with its meaning, actions to apply, and scripture references:
Meaning
- Sincerity: The remorse must be heartfelt and genuine, involving a deep sense of sorrow for having offended God.
- Love of God: True contrition is primarily motivated by the love of God and the desire to be reconciled with Him. It recognizes the inherent goodness and holiness of God and feels sorrow for having damaged this relationship.
- Resolution to Avoid Sin: True contrition includes a firm purpose of amendment, which means a strong determination to avoid sin in the future. This involves a commitment to change one's behavior and seek to live according to God's will.
- Desire for Forgiveness: There is a sincere desire to be forgiven by God, acknowledging that forgiveness is necessary for reconciliation with Him.
Actions
- Self-Examination: Reflect on your actions and identify the ways you have sinned. This requires honest introspection and acknowledgment of one's faults (Psalm 139:23-24).
- Confession to God: Admit your sins directly to God, expressing your sorrow and regret. This can be done through prayer, seeking God's forgiveness (1 John 1:9).
- Repentance: Make a conscious decision to turn away from sin and seek to live in accordance with God's commandments. This involves a change in behavior and mindset (Acts 3:19).
- Seeking Reconciliation: If your sin has harmed others, take steps to make amends and seek forgiveness from those you have wronged (Matthew 5:23-24).
Scripture References
- Psalm 51:17: "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise."
- Emphasizes the importance of a truly repentant heart.
- 2 Corinthians 7:10: "For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death."
- Highlights the difference between godly sorrow and worldly sorrow, stressing the value of true contrition.
- Luke 15:21-24: The Parable of the Prodigal Son
- Illustrates true contrition through the son's genuine remorse and the father's joyous acceptance upon his return.
- Isaiah 55:7: "Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon."
- Encourages repentance and turning back to God, assuring His mercy and forgiveness.
- 1 John 1:9: "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
- Affirms that confession and true repentance lead to God's forgiveness.
True contrition involves a deep, heartfelt sorrow for sins committed, driven by a genuine love for God and a sincere commitment to change one's ways and seek reconciliation with Him.