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Repentance ...

Friday, Sept 5, 2014. Do you know the feeling to have done wrong and the need to apologize? I have this feeling strongly today about something I have done a while ago - and the results came to me yesterday. Repentance and regret are important and crucial sometimes.

What I did wrong …

The failure which I am worried about currently is disrespect. There was a conflict with the referees of one of my papers, and I have been disrespectful of their view. I had a different view - and it is perfectly ok to disagree about scientific content. But we need to stay fully respectful - and I failed (being upset about the non-understanding of my presentation by the referees).

One of the things I love when it comes to faith is that it offers a clear route to repentance. Turn around, if you do something wrong. Admit it clearly, and then ask God for forgiveness and also the others which you hurt or which are related to it. That is the biblical command, that is what Jesus and the Apostles tell us. At least between believers it should work like that - and it does!

When Jesus - the risen Jesus - meets the apostles according to the Gospel of Luke, he tells them that in his name repentance and forgiveness will be proclaimed, everywhere. I am in need of repentance and forgiveness, and so let me do it and at the same time proclaim the repentance which Jesus tells us to spread. Have a look into Luke:

The risen Jesus …

36 As they were talking about these things, Jesus himself stood among them, and said to them, “Peace to you!” 37 But they were startled and frightened and thought they saw a spirit. 38 And he said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? 39 See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me, and see. For a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” 40 And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. 41 And while they still disbelieved for joy and were marveling, he said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?” 42 They gave him a piece of broiled fish,2 43 and he took it and ate before them.

44 Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” 45 Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, 46 and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, 47 and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.” (Luke 24, 41 ff)

The szene here is fantastic. Jesus is risen - and he shows himself to the apostles. And he has a clear command: the gospel is starting to be spread. His life, his death and his resurrection pave the way. Repentance and foregiveness is to be proclaimed! Faith is to be spread!

The call to repentance can be empty, if it is not filled by your own conscience, by your own feelings and insight - into your own failures. Look at your own life first, and when you have turned around, help others. (Roland Potthast) ... more texts