REPENTANCE??

WHAT DOES TRUE REPENTANCE LOOK LIKE?

Time and time again, we are being faced with news story after another where individuals appear to be "repentant" - on the surface -- or at least while the cameras are rolling -- then later we are left to wonder? Where they really repentant at all?

It's human nature to react to a sudden event with shock and a sense of feeling "sorry" --- but feeling sorry is NOT repentance at all!

Three cases in point!

Just a few days ago we heard here in Atlanta that Bishop Eddie Long had "settled out of court" with five young men who had accused him of sexual misconduct.  When the Pastor was first accused, he stood before his congregation and vowed to fight and air his side of the story in a court of law, not a court of opinion.  What happened?

According to his spokesperson, Long "settled" so that his ministry could continue and not be hampered by a court proceeding.  Many in his congregation were anxiously and loyally awaiting his defense.....awaiting his assurance of his innocence.  Now all they have are questions? What is Bishop Long hiding?  What did he really do with those five young men?  Why did he pay them money? Was the money "hush money?"
Did the money come from him, or the church coffers?

Only God, Long, and the five young men know the answers!!

Is Bishop Eddie Long worthy of being called "Bishop" any longer?

Has there been any signs of true repentance?

I'll let God be the judge of that one!!!

Case # 2 -  This past week, another man who calls himself, "Bishop" -- opened a new branch of his Church in the Now in Midtown Atlanta.... home of the gay community of Atlanta.

Jim Swilley hasn't even tried to "repent", believing he has nothing to repent from.....

Instead, he goes on ... and moves forward, as if nothing is wrong or out of place!

Before all this "revelation" was made public -- that Swilley was homosexual -- and in his mind, "made that way" -- his church was in financial straits .... now I wonder .... all he lost in "straight" members -- is he making up for it with "gay" members???

I'll leave that question to God!

Case # 3 -  Just a few days ago, another man who carried a title, "Bishop" -- was arrested in Tampa for Driving Under the Influence --  Randy White!

Randy divorced his second wife, Paula, a while back .... stepped down from being Senior Pastor of Church Without Walls in Tampa, stating he has "health issues", and invited his former wife, Paul White, to return as Pastor.  Now he's arrested for DUI??


Am I the only one who sees a pattern of inconsistency here??


What is repentance?  Feeling sorry?  Getting caught or arrested?  
Being embarrassed in pubic?
Or does it have everything to do with your heart and God?


I believe that true repentance means you CHANGE!  You change your mind -- you change your ways -- you change your actions -- you become humble, realizing that only God can really change you!




I, FOR ONE, HAVE "HAD IT" WITH FAKE PREACHERS -- PHONY BISHOPS -- AND MEN WHO GLOSS OVER TRUE REPENTANCE!
IT'S TIME FOR AN OLD-FASHION REVIVAL OF REPENTANCE IN THE CHURCH!


What do you think??