Sometimes I find it hard rethinking my own repentance

14 Aug 2010 1 Comment

Attrition vs. Contrition.

Theologians for centuries have distinguished between attrition and contrition when it comes to repentance. Attrition is simply acknowledging wrongdoing for fear of the consequences you might experience. In that sense it is external only. Contrition, on the other hand, is not primarily concerned with the consequences I might face for my wrong doing. It is primarily concerned with the fact that I have sinned against God. Like David expresses in Psalm 51, “Against you and you only I have sinned, Oh God.”

In the light of everything, I thank God for individuals who would aggressively force me to think harder, push me to the end, grab my hand and stare hard and questioningly at everything I thought I had control over. I am challenged beyond measure. half my spiritual body’s shedding old skin and the other half wants to remain as it is, indulgent in the temporary and unworthy benefits of persisting in sin. Apparently I want to run away because of these pressures, good albeit, but I think I’d rather not. I need to persist.

It’s like getting rid of stage 4 terminal stomach cancer.