Corporate Repentance - Robert J. Wieland

Nevertheless, this repentance is the opposite of
despair or gloom. When we can view our sinful
state with the repentance of enlightened "after
perception," we can truly appreciate the "Good
News" in it. Those who fear repentance lest it
induce gloom or sadness misunderstand the mind
of Christ and close their hearts to the healing power
of the Holy Spirit. The laughter of the world is
superficial and quickly turns to despair under trial.
"Not as the world gives" is the joy of Christ,
consistent with His being a man of sorrows and
acquainted with grief (see John 14:27; Isaiah 53:3).
As the remnant church ministers amidst the tragic
disintegration of human life that will characterize
the last days, that deep unfailing joy of the Lord
will emerge from a realistic contrition. A closer
walk with the "man of sorrows" will enable God's
people to help the homeless and hungry, those
dying with AIDS, and those weeping over their
broken homes.
Repentance for the individual is perceptive
after-thought, a change of mind that views personal
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