Series 1 - Lesson 2 - Annotation 6
What is repentance?
6. Repentance indicates one's sorrow for sin, accompanied by a desire to amend, or resolve to amend, one's life as a result. Repentance is a complete turning from the sin in thought, word, and deed.
The word penitence is regarded as a synonym for repentance. However, penitence is transient and may involve no change of character or of conduct. The sorrow may be for the consequences only, but repentance exacts a change in one's attitudes, intentions, and conduct. Paul said, "I now rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye were made sorry unto repentance, , . . For godly sorrow worketh repentance unto salvation, a repentance which bringeth no regret" (II Cor. 7:9-10).
To repent means to turn away from seeing a relative good and a relative evil and to behold the Absolute Good even as God saw it at creation. As we come into a knowledge of the purpose of life, we discern that we live in a spiritual universe; that our environment is really God, Divine Mind. We also discover God's presence and power within us as the true souroe and cause of our every good. Thus, we attain a new attitude toward life, a new purpose in living, and endeavor to manifest more of the divine Spirit that is within us.
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Preceding Entry: What is forgiveness of sin?
Following Entry: How is the mind renewed?
