deep change of heart and acƟon.
If we cause hurt to others, either
unintenƟonally or deliberately, we
should feel deep regret for our acƟons.
Yet, so oŌen, we resort to jusƟfying our
acƟons or blaming someone else rather
than admit our wrong. This is nothing
new – it has been happening since the
Garden of Eden. Defensive selfjusƟficaƟon. Passing the buck. A total
unwillingness to admit we’re in the
wrong. But if we want to change we
must first admit our ‘sin’ and feel deep
sorrow over it.
In his leƩer to the ChrisƟans in Corinth,
St. Paul talks about the big difference
between godly sorrow and worldly
sorrow. Worldly sorrow is saying sorry
but not meaning it. Or even saying sorry
and meaning it, but having the inability
to change your life and so all that is leŌ
is biƩerness and regret. That, says Paul,
is a living death having to deal with your
own guilt & biƩerness. And unforgiven
sin leads to death, in the sense of being
cut off from God. The difference with
godly sorrow is that there is forgiveness
and power to change. How can that be?
Well, the events of Easter provide us
with a big clue! Whether we choose to
admit it or not we all do wrong, which
puts us on the wrong side of God.
However, God has done something
about it. He is able to set right the
record straight, through the death of
Jesus Christ on the cross. We can be
forgiven, we can be washed clean for
the wrong things we have done and
start with a ‘clean slate’. We can look
back and say, “Yes, I know I did wrong,
but I am forgiven”. I made this amazing
discovery a number of years ago and my
life has never been the same since. Yet,
accepƟng my need of forgiveness and
accepƟng that I was forgiven wasn’t
easy, mainly due to pride and guilt. It’s
one thing to admit you’re in the wrong,
quite another to accept forgiveness and
have the power to change – all we have
to do is leave it at the foot of the Cross
and Christ will set us free. Do you bear
burdens of regret and biƩerness which
weigh you down? Maybe you’ve been
deeply wronged, or deeply hurt someone else. The message of Easter speaks
of forgiveness, reconciliaƟon, restoraƟon and new life - in Jesus Christ - come
and explore Easter with us—you’ll be
amazed!
NB. God is in the business of
transforming lives and in His love He
accepts us as we are, but because of His
love He doesn’t leave us as we are!
Your friend & Team Rector,
Gary Cregeen