I ran across this post on my good friend, Joel’s blog…he has some great thoughts to share.
Interesting concept at Christian’s Confess. I looked through some of the “confession/apologies” and I think I understand what is trying to be done…I have often been saddened over the public’s view of Christians because definitely there are a few “bad apples” that spoil the bunch, causing many of the rest of us to dig out of the hole they place us in over the stupidity of the way they represent Christ.
Interesting idea to launch this public forum for apologies for misrepresenting Christ. I wonder how to add the element of replacing what was misrepresented with God’s truth, grace, and gospel. Apologies made are great, but new actions replacing the old, even better. Maybe they need to add an “update” portion to each apology? A sort of new action that came about as a result of acknowledging the old attitude or action that was hurtful. Maybe I’m just tainted by the many apologies that get made with no change of behavior following. That gets frustrating. If we as Christians have a ton of misconceptions and misguided actions to apologize for, we can’t leave it there, we need to ammend the attitudes and actions that took us there, review God’s truth in His word applied to that situation, and then set out seeking the new attitude or action to direct people back to Christ – not to just leave them hanging post apology, wondering.
I have no idea if I am even making sense….but this was a very thought provoking site and I’d love to hear YOUR opinions!
Enjoying the journey! 
Okay, I’ll bite….
Yep, it all makes sense. I am thinking that’s where repentance comes in? So I looked up repentance, so I would not look like a complete idiot, in the dictionary and this was on the dictionary page:
Easton’s 1897 Bible Dictionary
Repentance
There are three Greek words used in the New Testament to denote repentance. (1.) The verb _metamelomai_ is used of a change of mind, such as to produce regret or even remorse on account of sin, but not necessarily a change of heart. This word is used with reference to the repentance of Judas (Matt. 27:3).
(2.) Metanoeo, meaning to change one’s mind and purpose, as the result of after knowledge. This verb, with (3) the cognate noun _metanoia_, is used of true repentance, a change of mind and purpose and life, to which remission of sin is promised. Evangelical repentance consists of (1) a true sense of one’s own guilt and sinfulness; (2) an apprehension of God’s mercy in Christ; (3) an actual hatred of sin (Ps. 119:128; Job 42:5, 6; 2 Cor. 7:10) and turning from it to God; and (4) a persistent endeavour after a holy life in a walking with God in the way of his commandments. The true penitent is conscious of guilt (Ps. 51:4, 9), of pollution (51:5, 7, 10), and of helplessness (51:11; 109:21, 22). Thus he apprehends himself to be just what God has always seen him to be and declares him to be. But repentance comprehends not only such a sense of sin, but also an apprehension of mercy, without which there can be no true repentance (Ps. 51:1; 130:4).