When we speak of repentance, we sometimes mean by it something that, from a biblical point of view, is not repentance at all. The very...
When we speak of repentance, we sometimes mean by it something that, from a biblical point of view, is not repentance at all. We most often understand the word “repentance” as an acknowledgment of our sinfulness and worthlessness, necessarily followed by self-flagellation and timid promises to correct ourselves in the future, if we manage it, and to begin a new life, if we succeed.
Yet both the Hebrew word and the corresponding Greek word translated into Russian as “repentance” mean “turning.” Thus the chief thing in repentance is not self-flagellation or promises, or even awareness of one’s sin, although that, too, is of course necessary, but the resolve to turn to God. To turn as one is, without wishing to embellish the situation somehow or to “become better” through one’s own strength.
The desire to look more presentable in God’s eyes is of course quite understandable. It need not necessarily be a matter of fearing punishment: after all, one always wants to appear at one’s best in the eyes of someone one loves, sometimes even better than one truly is. Yet these attempts are useless: God already knows each of us through and through. He sees right through us, and nothing can be hidden from Him anyway.
Daniel does not try to hide anything from Him or to embellish the situation. Turning to God, he says to Him directly: all truth and all righteousness belong to You, while we have nothing but our sins. This is not self-abasement, but a simple, sober view of himself, his people, and their history. And at the same time it is hope that a new life is nevertheless possible, possible because the desire for this new life is present not only in Daniel personally but in the whole people.
So is the desire for a new life enough by itself? Can all the sins of the past be forgotten and never recalled? Both yes and no. It is absolutely necessary to become aware of one’s sins and mistakes, primarily in order not to repeat them. But what sense is there in tormenting oneself for them?
God does not need our self-flagellation in any form or shape. He is not a sadist who wants to punish the sinner as severely as possible. Nor will self-flagellation help us: to depart from sin, we need only to understand what happened and resolve never to act that way again. The rest is God’s work; He knows how to sustain our readiness to resist our sins. The main thing is that this readiness should exist. Daniel understands that it does. And he turns to God, asking Him to support those who are ready to renounce a sinful life and follow Him, choosing His path, the path that leads to life.
