There is a common phrase, “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again while expecting different results.” Imagine doing the same thing, making the same mistakes, having the same setbacks and failures, and in response, making the same excuses, apologies and broken promises.
That is how we can describe remorse—feeling gravely sorry for the mistakes you have made but continuing to make said mistakes. It is often not done out of spite but from a lack of true repentance. And perhaps this is your case. You find yourself in an ongoing cycle, wishing you could break free from these mistakes and looking for a way to make yourself right before God. The solution is not remorse, but rather repentance.
Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 2:38)
Peter pointed out these three specific things:
- Repentance
- Water Baptism
- Holy Spirit
It isn’t enough to feel sorry. The sin that has separated you from God, no matter what it is, has to be completely gone and buried. Let it go, surrender yourself to God, take a step to be baptized in the water, and let go of the old you. Then the greatest of all things will come upon you, the Holy Spirit. It starts with you; one decision of repentance can pave the way to your new life.
May the God of the Bible bless you!
Bishop Bira Joshua
