We are free to choose the paths which we wish to go down, and our choices determine whether we have good or bad outcomes. We may have people or situations exert great influence on our decisions, but the final decisions are ultimately ours. We cannot blame anyone else for a negative outcome of a decision, as we consciously made that decision of our own accord. We should repent if we choose wrongly, as we will be held accountable sooner or later.
Your greatest gift is the gift of life, and choice is the most important element of that gift. Therefore, your life should be led with vitality and judiciousness. Living a passive life is not living life. Controlling your life and determining its outcomes is the meaning of life. Your ability to choose gives you a feeling of empowerment. After all, don’t you feel better after making a decision?
You said that we should “repent” for the wrong or negative decisions that we make. Throughout our life all of us will make wrong or negative decisions and hopefully we will learn from the outcome or effects they have. That is part of life. There is no reason to “repent” for making that decision. If that decision is made with thought (be it right or wrong) and you believe it is the right decision at the time there is no logical or needed reason to repent for making that decision. As the saying goes, “to err is human”.
True enough, Mike. What I meant to get across was if your decision caused pain, hardship or other suffering. In that case, accepting those results as part of being human is not enough. Repentance should be done in earnest, for the sake of the injured party as well as for yourself.
I understand what you are saying but I think what is troubling me is the use of the word “repent”. Yes, the word repent also means “sorry” and this is what you are proposing. But, I think throughout the world the word “repent” is associated with a “sin”. And making a mistake or creating a negative action is not a sin, normally. We would both agree that if you cause someone hurt or pain you should try to atone for your misactions. Repent is too strong a word.
Making a mistake is not a sin in itself. I agree with you, as it is only human. But if your action creates something negative by causing harm or offense, I believe that is a sin. To repent is to feel or express sincere regret or remorse. In such a situation as I have described, I don’t believe that repenting is too strong a word or action.