Life with no regrets for the Christian: Lessons learned or a lack of responsibility?

Let's kick off this site with an old blog of mine from a couple years ago, shall we?

 

Begin.

 

 

 

By definition, "regret" means to feel sorry and have remorse for an act which took place. I recently read a blog about this and thought to myself, "As a Christian, is this a good mentality?" My reasoning: Repentance. Being truly sorry for the wrong one has committed and completely turning away from the act. Seems like the world shouts, "You make mistakes, learn from them. It's your life. Do as you please. Regret nothing. Do what you feel. If it feels right...then it is...for you."


Some of my questions:

• How can you ever be genuinely sorry for what you did if you don't regret doing it?


• Could this ultimately be irresponsible? What about selfish? Sinful?


• Is not a Christian to acknowledge his fallen nature - agreeing to the fact that all men have sinned and have fallen short of the glory of God? (Romans 3:23)

Check this out:
"...the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death." (2 Corinthians 7:10)

Repentance without regret. Is that the same type as quoted by the statement, "Live with no regrets?" or could Paul be referring to regret that could lead to depression, hateful self-condemnation and a moving away from God (as displayed in Adam and Eve when they realized their nakedness and hid from the Lord in Genesis 3:7)-while dwelling on ourselves and ultimately losing sight of the righteousness and redemption in Christ?

Now, there is the transformation from guilt to feeling free in Christ. I have, most definitely, made some horrible, horrible mistakes. Guilt hits hard. I may not mope around and feel down as much as I used to, but it still happens. Why? Because I regret (feel remorse/sorrow) the stupidity I let take me over and for the people I hurt, including myself, and the disobedience towards my Father in Heaven that I displayed. But a good friend once told me over dinner, "Bethany. You are forgiven. It's good to acknowledge what you did was wrong and to turn from it...but you need to move on. Don't let it define you. There's a new person in Christ and a second chance. Know what you did was wrong, learn and change."

So, what's your take? Should the Christian really follow today's motto of "live with no regrets?" Or do we need to take back responsibility for our actions and use the outcome to positively change our life for the better - and in service to Christ?

Comment below. I want to hear your voice.