How to repent to God

St. John of the ladder wrote: "Repentance is a Covenant with God about correction life. Repentance is reconciliation with the Lord. Repentance is the cleansing of conscience." The objective, which has to work modern Christian - to live in peace and to remain pure, uncontaminated by the world. The fruit of this work are repentance and confession.

Confession and repentance are not synonymous. Confession is one of the seven Christian sacraments, in which the penitent, confess his sins to a priest, unseen permitted them by the Lord Himself. The Ordinance was established by the Savior, who said to his Apostles: "receive the Holy spirit: whoever's sins you forgive, they are forgiven; and whose ye retain, they are retained" (Ин20:22-23).

In fact, the Sacrament of confession should complete the process of repentance. Repentance is a process, not an episode in a person's life. An Orthodox Christian is constantly in a state of repentance. The sacrament of confession should be preceded by an inside job. If there is no inner understanding of their actions, crushing on them, then the confession becomes a rant.

There are so many reminders "To help the penitent", which lists all sorts of sins. Such lists of sins can be used at the initial stage if you are not familiar with Church life. But it is not necessary formally to be transferred to confession all that you have written such a book. A scrupulous enumeration of all their sins take us away from the very essence of repentance.

The essence of repentance is in finding God. When a person simply understands that he was sinful, bad, is nothing more than just admitting your mistakes. Another thing, when he realizes that he needs the Saviour, the Christ, to be worthy of his calling. Repentance is the desire to get better and better. Speaking about repentance, the Apostle Paul compares the Christian to an athlete. He says, all run on the lists, but the victory goes to the one who escaped first; and so we should strive to achieve more in the spiritual life. Therefore, repentance is not the result of low self-esteem, but only the result of constant striving for perfection.

What to do if a person does not feel "all sin"? Because then the call to repentance can only cause irritation and anger. It is important to remember that the confession does not destroy the person as a person, not degrading. Many people find it hard to come to confession, to overcome the shame before the priest. Do not be afraid to go to confession, "because it is a shame". Conscience is cleared best just a shame. In addition, shame is the best mechanism of deterrence from further Commission of sin.

A person who chooses to take the path of repentance, you can give a few tips. First, as simple as this may sound, I more often in the temple. The liturgical life, frequent stay in the temple becomes a strong Foundation on which to build their repentance. Secondly, try as far as possible, to change the external structure of your life. For example, to go somewhere for a few days, to retire, to reflect on his life. Good to go in some secluded monastery to take in the atmosphere of silence and prayer.