John Owen described a distinction with which we are all, no doubt, far too familiar. This is the distinction between repentance and regret. When we sin, to say we are “sorry” (or at least feel sorry) does not necessarily mean that we have actually repented of this sin. After all, one can be “sorry” simply because they dislike the hot-water he is now in on account of his sin. One can even feel regret without repentance, simply because they don’t like the guilt they feel when they sin. (I.e., The God-ward focus can be lacking.) Failure to deal with the root by only looking at the fruit will do us no favors while striving against indwelling sin. This is the equivalent of treating the symptoms and not the disease. What is more, such an approach is still too man-centered.
Posted on: Tue, 27 Aug 2013 09:49:40 +0000
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