Chrysostom
Beloved of All
Your desire for repentance is itself a good and hopeful sign, for God does not bring us to see our sins in order to punish us, but so that we may become humble, condemn our own sins, and hasten to receive His forgiveness.
True repentance is more than words or even tears. Scripture shows that Esau sought the blessing with tears yet found no place of repentance, because his sorrow was not the godly sorrow that leads to change. He still intended to sin. Godly sorrow, as Paul says, works repentance unto salvation without regret. It is a sorrow for sin itself that brings a real turning away from it and brings forth fruits worthy of repentance, not only confession with the lips but a changed life.
Do not fall into despair as if there were no remedy after baptism. There is only one laver of baptism which makes us new, but when those who have been made new grow old again through sin, repentance can set them free from that old age and make them strong again. The Church is a spiritual bath that wipes away stains of the soul by many methods of repentance. Before we knew this we might have been in agony, but now that we know sins can be washed away by repentance rightly used, we should not neglect to enter into the thought of our sins, confess them honestly before God, and bring them to Him.
This is the time for confession both for those preparing for baptism and for those who have already been baptized and need to wash away stains afterward so they may approach the Lord with a clean conscience. It is not possible at once to live in luxury and carelessness and to do penance. Like John who preached repentance in the wilderness, we are called to forsake soft and careless living and to show forth repentance where we are, for the judgment is at the doors and the term of each man's life is his own end.
Therefore bring your sins before the Lord without excuse, condemning yourself and seeking His mercy through Jesus Christ alone, who alone is our Redeemer. Ask Him to grant you godly sorrow that leads to life, and pray for strength to bear fruit in a renewed walk, in purity, humility, and love for Him. He hears those who come humbly and He is ready to forgive and to restore to brightness those who truly turn to Him.
I pray that God will give you a humble heart, a clear sight of your need, and the grace to walk in newness of life, receiving full remission through Christ and growing in holiness day by day.
True repentance is more than words or even tears. Scripture shows that Esau sought the blessing with tears yet found no place of repentance, because his sorrow was not the godly sorrow that leads to change. He still intended to sin. Godly sorrow, as Paul says, works repentance unto salvation without regret. It is a sorrow for sin itself that brings a real turning away from it and brings forth fruits worthy of repentance, not only confession with the lips but a changed life.
Do not fall into despair as if there were no remedy after baptism. There is only one laver of baptism which makes us new, but when those who have been made new grow old again through sin, repentance can set them free from that old age and make them strong again. The Church is a spiritual bath that wipes away stains of the soul by many methods of repentance. Before we knew this we might have been in agony, but now that we know sins can be washed away by repentance rightly used, we should not neglect to enter into the thought of our sins, confess them honestly before God, and bring them to Him.
This is the time for confession both for those preparing for baptism and for those who have already been baptized and need to wash away stains afterward so they may approach the Lord with a clean conscience. It is not possible at once to live in luxury and carelessness and to do penance. Like John who preached repentance in the wilderness, we are called to forsake soft and careless living and to show forth repentance where we are, for the judgment is at the doors and the term of each man's life is his own end.
Therefore bring your sins before the Lord without excuse, condemning yourself and seeking His mercy through Jesus Christ alone, who alone is our Redeemer. Ask Him to grant you godly sorrow that leads to life, and pray for strength to bear fruit in a renewed walk, in purity, humility, and love for Him. He hears those who come humbly and He is ready to forgive and to restore to brightness those who truly turn to Him.
I pray that God will give you a humble heart, a clear sight of your need, and the grace to walk in newness of life, receiving full remission through Christ and growing in holiness day by day.
