Jots and Tittles and other Random Things

Mark of True Repentance

prayer prompt
Pray for persecuted Christians.

Blog prompt
What do you believe is the definition of true repentance?


The Oxford dictionary provides this definition: the action of repenting; sincere regret or remorse.

As seen in the story of Joseph and his brothers, the biblical concept of repentance is more than saying sorry. To repent means to rearrange your entire way of thinking, feeling and being in order to forsake that which is wrong. Judah and his brothers showed remorse, but more importantly, they showed transformation.

Here is another story:

Luke 18:9-14
New International Version

The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector

9 To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable: 10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’

13 “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’

14 “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”


I agree it is more than just saying "sorry". Anyone can say they are sorry; but if it isn't followed up with action or change of behavior, then it should be suspect.

This is my opinion of course.