“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.” Psalm 51:17
We all make mistakes. Sometimes, we carry the weight of our failures, unsure if God could ever truly forgive us. But the difference between those who receive God’s forgiveness and those who don’t isn’t about how bad their mistakes are—it’s about the condition of their heart.
Take Judas and Esau, for example. Both regretted their choices, but their sorrow was self-focused. Judas felt guilty but didn’t turn to God for mercy. Esau cried over what he lost but didn’t seek real change. King Saul admitted his sin, but he cared more about saving face than restoring his relationship with God.
Then there’s Peter and David. Peter denied Jesus, yet his bitter tears led to a restored relationship with Christ (John 21:15-17). David, after his terrible fall, didn’t just apologise—he cried out for a clean heart and a renewed spirit (Psalm 51:10). What made their repentance different? They weren’t just sorry for the consequences; they longed to be close to God again.
What Does True Repentance Look Like?
- Being honest with God – Not covering up or justifying our sin (Psalm 32:5).
- Grieving over how our sin affects God – Not just how it affects us (2 Corinthians 7:10).
- Wanting real change – Taking steps to live differently (Luke 3:8).
- Trusting in God’s mercy – Believing He is willing to forgive and restore (1 John 1:9).
God isn’t looking for perfect people. He’s looking for people who are willing to come to Him with open, humble hearts. “The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart and saves such as have a contrite spirit.” (Psalm 34:18). Such people God can easily mold to become like Him.
Joseph understood this. When tempted by Potiphar’s wife, he didn’t just think about what would happen if he got caught—he asked, “How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?” (Genesis 39:9). His relationship with God mattered more than the moment. He chose to flee from sin rather than flirt with it.
So here’s the question: when you feel convicted, do you just feel bad, or do you turn back to God? His arms are always open to those who come to Him with a sincere heart. No matter how far you’ve fallen, He is ready to restore you.
Author
kay.alli@legalview.co.uk