Contrition/ Repentance is the second principle of the gospel of Jesus Christ, and it is one of the ways in which we can express our faith and devotion.
Carry out these six steps of repentance and receive God’s forgiveness.
– Be remorseful
The first step of contrition is to discover that you have done a sin against the Heavenly Father. Not only must you feel remorseful for disobeying His commandments, but you must also feel sorrow for any pain your actions may have caused other people.
When you are truly remorseful and completely aware of the sin you have committed against God, then you will actively work toward repentance.
– Confess your sins to God
Next, you must not only feel sorrow for your sins but you must also confess them and forsake them. Some sins only need to be confessed to God. This can be done through prayer, in an open and honest way. Also, go for confession to a priest or bishop. This requirement is not meant to alarmed, but to guard against excommunication and make available a safe environment in which to release your burden and receive penance.
– Request for Forgiveness
Asking for forgiveness is essential to receiving God’s forgiveness. At this moment, you must ask forgiveness from God, from anyone you have offended in any way, and from yourself. Obviously, asking forgiveness from the Heavenly Father must be done through prayer. Asking others for forgiveness must be done face to face. If you have committed the sin of revenge, notwithstanding how small the original slight, you must also forgive others for hurting you. This is a way of teaching humility, a cornerstone of the Christian faith.
– Make Recompense
In case you did wrong or made something wrong, you must try to set it right. Committing a sin can cause physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual damage that is hard to amend. If you cannot fix the issues caused by your actions, sincerely request forgiveness from those you have hurt and try to find another way to show your change of heart.
Some of the most serious sins, such as murder, cannot be made right. It is not possible to restore what is lost. Moreover, we must do the very best we can, despite the challenges.
– Say goodbye to Sin
Recommit yourself to obeying God’s commandments and promise Him that you will never repeat the sin. Assure yourself that you will never repeat the sin. If you feel comfortable doing so, and if it’s right, make a promise to others—friends, family members, your pastor, priest, or bishop—that you will never repeat the sin. Support from others can assist you to stay strong and keep your resolve.
– Receive Forgiveness
The Bibles teaches us that if we repent of our sins, God will forgive us. What is more, He assures us that He will not remember them. Through Christ’s Atonement, we are able to repent and be cleansed of our sins. Do not hold onto your sin and the sorrow you have felt. Forget about it by truly forgiving yourself, just as the Lord has forgiven you.
Each of us can be forgiven and feel the glorious feeling of peace that comes with sincere repentance. Embrace God’s forgiveness to come upon you, and when you feel God’s peace, you will know you are forgiven.
