Thought for the Week column with Rev Martin Russell: Repentance is not about feeling guilty
I recently heard a talk from a Mothers’ Union member who regularly visits New Hall prison for women.
I was impressed how she met the prisoners on a very human level, not knowing their offences or the length of their sentences.
She spent time together, be-friending by doing sewing, craft work and cooking.
It was all part of the journey to prepare prisoners before they were discharged and leading them to a better life and avoiding re-offending.
So often on the news we hear about the horror of the offence, the criminal gangs and the addiction to drugs leading to crime.
The big challenge is to help prisoners to change to better ways of life and to appreciate the work of prison chaplains and support workers like the Mothers’ Union.
In his ministry Jesus was often criticised for mixing with tax collectors and sinners by the religious leaders of his day. Jesus replied, "I have come not for the righteous but for sinners to repentance.”
Christians hopefully are people who are not "better than others" but who rather recognise they are forgiven sinners and seek to share the joy of God's forgiveness through the cross of Jesus.
Repentance is not about feeling guilty but going for new life with God