I know that many things have changed in our world. Every generation changes things; hairstyles, clothing styles, mannerisms, expressions, and many other things.

There are always new scientific discoveries, medical advances, wonder drugs, technology, and advancement in the automotive world. Yet Solomon told us, “What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 1:9 ESV).

Things really never change. Man has the same objectives, wants the same end results, and proceeds based on means, methods, and opportunities.

So what does all this have to do with acknowledging wrongdoing and saying “I’m sorry”? Expressing regret and repenting are just as hard today as in the beginning of time. It isn’t easy to acknowledge, and it isn’t easy to express.

Biblical stories relate various types of expressions of guilt. People blame others; they lie about the wrong; they justify their actions; they just deny the whole thing. Many never change.

Sorrow for mistakes is a gift. It takes courage to admit a mistake, and it takes even more courage to make it right.

Repentance didn’t come easy to those in scripture. When God asked Adam if he had eaten of the forbidden tree, this is what he said. “The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me fruit of the tree, and I ate” (Genesis 3:12).

When God confronted the woman she said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate” (Genesis 3:13). Neither wanted to take responsibility. Neither said, “I was wrong.”

In the case of King Saul, he took a different approach. God told him to “utterly destroy the Amalekites”; but he allowed the king to live, certain animals, and others items that should have been destroyed.

When the prophet, Samuel, came to see him, he engaged in a conversation justifying his actions. Saul said, “I have performed the commandment of the LORD” (First Samuel 15:13).

Saul lied, and then he proceeded to blame the people, and justify his actions. He showed absolutely no signs of remorse for his disobedience.

After some additional conversation between Saul and Samuel, Samuel asked him again why he did not obey. Saul once again insisted he had obeyed the Lord, and once again he blamed the people for saving the king and the animals.

Samuel called Saul’s sin what it really was—rejecting the word of the Lord. He then told Saul that God had rejected him from being king.

At that point, Saul said in verse 24, “I have sinned, for I have transgressed the commandment of the LORD and your words.” Then he once again blamed the people and then asked Samuel to pardon his sin.

He still didn’t get it. He disobeyed; he lied; he blamed others. Saying he had sinned without repentance meant nothing.

After King David’s sin with Bathsheba in Second Samuel 12, Nathan the prophet paid a visit to the king. Nathan told him a story, a parable; at the end of the story, he exposed David’s sin. David’s words are simple but effective. He said, “ I have sinned against the LORD” (verse 13).

David offered no excuses. He just confessed his sin and waited for Nathan to pronounce punishment on him. He was punished, but Nathan told him that God had forgiven him (verse 13).

As Christians, we have certain obligations and responsibilities. We can’t just live like we want and expect God to accept our sinful lives. John said in First John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

Pardon must always be preceded by confession and full acknowledgement of wrongdoing. If our confession is to be of value, we must confess and repent.

Sandra Oliver