Confronting Ourselves With Ourselves

There is an old, old subject that has been distasteful in every age, and yet which everyone has to reckon with. It isn’t a popular subject – and is quite commonly thought to be old-fashioned. Perhaps currently thinking would suggest that we sugar-coat the subject, call it some other name, frost it over for comfortable consumption – but however you say it, repentance is something to be reckoned with. Perhaps there are those who ask what we have need to repent of. For answer to this each man should examine himself – should consult his own conscience. And if his own conscience isn’t active enough to use himself as an example, let him compare the conduct of his neighbors and acquaintances with the commandments of God and the laws of life. It is understandable that we would rather not face such facts, but there comes a time when seeing ourselves as we are is essential – a time when a man must admit the mistakes he has made. And if, at such a time, he repents, not merely for the moment, but if sincerely he searches himself, acknowledges his shortcomings, asks for forgiveness, and departs altogether from his former offenses – if he has learned humility and can say sincerely: “Create in me a clean heart, O God…” – then his battle with himself is on its way towards being won. Repentance may be a distasteful principle – but if we want peace and self-respect we must reckon with it.