Rejoice in Repentance

"Repentance is a divine gift, and there should be a smile on our faces when we speak of it. It points us to freedom, confidence, and peace."

Last week in Church all the talks in Sacrament Meeting were about repentance. These were great reminders to me and I was inspired to re-listen to a talk on repentance from last October's General Conference by Elder D. Todd Christofferson. The quote above and the quotes below come from this talk.

"Without repentance, there is no real progress or improvement in life."

This phrase has really helped me feel that we should rejoice in repentance - I want to progress and improve. I want to remove guilt or shame from my life. I want to know that my Heavenly Father is pleased with me and the choices I'm currently making. I know that repentance is what helps me fee the peace that I crave.

"Pretending there is no sin does not lessen its burden and pain. Suffering for sin does not by itself change anything for the better. Only repentance leads to the sunlit uplands of a better life. And, of course, only through repentance do we gain access to the atoning grace of Jesus Christ and salvation."   

 This quote stopped me in my tracks. I'll admit - there are times when I think suffering is exactly what I should do if I do something wrong. I'm reminded that I have repeatedly been taught that Christ suffered for our sins in Gethsemane and on the cross at Calvary that we do not have to be alone in our suffering, and so that we can turn our pain over to he who already suffered for us. It is also very powerful to me that pretending something was not "wrong", or "not that big a deal", or it was "just that once" may temporarily make us feel justified, but it cannot take away the burden and pain that inevitably follow sin.

"If we do not invite others to change or if we do not demand repentance of ourselves, we fail in a fundamental duty we owe to one another and to ourselves."

The first thing that comes to mind when I read this passage is the invitation that Christ continually gave to others during his mortal ministry: "Come, follow me". That is what we should be doing - inviting ourselves and each other to be more like Christ. Since none of us are perfect, as he was, we will always find things we can either stop doing, or start doing in order to become more like him. As we both purge our lives of poor choices, and fill our lives with good choices we are choosing to repent. And we will become better people.

"Perhaps as much as praying for mercy, we should pray for time and opportunity to work and strive and overcome. Surely the Lord smiles upon one who desires to come to judgment worthily, who resolutely labors day by day to replace weakness with strength."

What a concept! I have been striving to implement this idea this week. Of course I'm going to make mistakes. That is why God sent us to this earth - to learn through our experience. What God wants is for us to evaluate the choices we are making and continually strive to make better ones. Asking "for time and opportunity to work and strive and overcome" means we know we have not been doing exactly what we should, it demonstrates a true desire to change (or repent), and it is an active way for us to use our agency.

"Real repentance, real change may require repeated attempts, but there is something refining and holy in such striving."

What comfort this phrase brings to me! Instead of beating myself up when I make the same mistakes over and over again, I can remind myself that I am choosing to refine myself instead of choosing to give up on myself. Real change can, and will happen. But, it will not always be easy - or happen the first time we try.

"True repentance is not superficial."

Repentance requires a deep down, fundamental change. It means giving up habits and changing patters. It means literally becoming a new man (or woman!) through Christ - by choosing to become more like him. No, that is not superficial. So, superficial attempts will not work.

". . . whatever the cost of repentance, it is swallowed up in the joy of forgiveness."

What a beautiful reminder - the whole talk is beautiful - you can read or listen to it: The Divine Gift of Repentance