It's a shame animals don't talk. I would love to really know exactly WHAT they are thinking. If I were to guess at what is going on in the minds of the penguin on the right, I would say that he is sorry for something. Could it be stealing some fish or perhaps a favorite rock (used for nesting)? Who knows?
If our down-hearted penguin were human, what would we tell him to do? Forget it and just keep doing the same thing over and over because it makes you feel good. Or perhaps something stronger like:DON'T DO THAT AGAIN!
Today, people have forgotten how to be contrite over their actions. Repentance has become a word that only Christians use. And, only "radical" ones at that. You know, people who actually believe in the Bible and sincerely try to do what God instructs us to do.
Ok, what do we do with people who have done wrong (The Bible refers to it as sin)? Well, lets assume that that the sinner has acknowledged their sin and stated that they will never do it again and tried to make things right. Then what?
Such was the situation in Corinth. Paul had written a letter to the church there, condemning a man who had committed sexual sin. (1 Cor. 5:1-5)
2 Corinthians, Chapter 7 (World English Bible)
8 For though I grieved you with my letter, I do not regret it, though I did regret it. For I see that my letter made you grieve, though just for a while. 9 I now rejoice, not that you were grieved, but that you were grieved to repentance. For you were grieved in a godly way, that you might suffer loss by us in nothing. 10 For godly sorrow produces repentance to salvation, which brings no regret. But the sorrow of the world produces death. (emphasis added vs. 10)
The realization of sin is painful and turning from that sin can be difficult. And for the sinner's fellow Christians, witnessing this can also be painful. The cure for this is love. Love for God that motivates a true repentance and love for the one who repents that restores fellowship. Feelings come and go, but making things right is the bottom line and ultimately leads one to heaven. Believe it, because it's true!!!
Jesus said: 13 “Enter in by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many are those who enter in by it. 14 How narrow is the gate, and restricted is the way that leads to life! Few are those who find it. (Matthew 7:13-14)
Listen, believe and act; you will be glad you did!!!
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