by Pastor Daniel Yaw
 
Introduction
As we take this annual journey of 40 days of fasting and prayer along with the whole nation, I believe many of you are already beginning to see the changes that God is bringing to your life. I pray that in doing so, we will indeed grow to know God more. As the Bible says that in Colossians 1:9-10, that we begin with knowing God’s will and end with knowing more of God.
 
“We ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him; bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God”
 
In the 2nd set of 5 days (day 6-10), the meditation was on repentance and that brought me to this thought of repentance and regret. One church member asked, “Is there a difference between repentance and regret?”
 
Well, I believe there is and both are equally important.
 
Regret
Regret is defined as a feeling of being sorry for something done wrongly. It may be a wrong or bad decision and even sin committed. It is indeed a feeling that is not good about what has been done. There are indeed many regrets in our lives – for the wrong decisions we made and the sins committed.
 
However, sadly many stop at regrets. In the Bible, we read of Judas, who after he betrayed his master, felt remorseful and regretful. He even tried to return the money taken from the priest and finally hung himself.
 
Someone asked if Judas had shown repentance. As we look at him, we know very well and it was written that he was very remorseful but short of being repentant.
 
Repentance
Repentance is a change or a transformation. In the devotions, they spoke of repentance as a change of mind, of attitude, of lifestyle, and orientation. Repentance involved a change.  
 
Therefore it is clear that when we repent, we change from our perspective to the perspective of God. We change the way we look at sin to conform to the way our God looks at sin. That sin is not something to be taken lightly. It warrants the wrath of God and receives the judgment of God.
 
But by the grace of God, that judgment was placed on our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ who took our place of judgment that we may receive grace.
 
Repentance going beyond regret is an act of will. It is more than just a feeling but a decisive act that we take when we repent. We make up our mind that sin is a sin and there is no excuse when that sin is committed. That is true repentance.
 
Thus both are important elements – Regret and Repentance. The emotional aspect and the volition aspect. Therefore we must never stop at just being remorseful or regretful but come to God in repentance as well.
 
Restoration
This last part is about receiving God’s forgiveness and being restored in fellowship and hope. When one stops at regret, the outcome is like Judas – guilt will bring us down. We will get so guilt-stricken that we find no more hope for living. However, in repentance, we turn to God, agreeing with Him that we have done wrong and then receiving his forgiveness. This then becomes the road to restoration.
 
Even when we repent, we may still fall but we have not changed our mind that it is wrong. Thus the Bible in I John 1:9, tells us to come to him and confess our sins and He who is faithful will forgive us of all our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
 
Conclusion
As we take this journey of fasting and praying, may we see the Lord of mercy who invites us despite who we are, to come to him always, be restored to his fellowship always, and be recipients of his constant grace. That is why the Bible tells us to “Repent, and believe in the gospel for salvation.” May we be presented to God as one who is spotless as the blood of Christ cleanses us. May God bless all of you and grant you the perseverance and the joy to complete this journey.