Apology

What is an apology? Recently we've heard a famous golfer's apology and also apologies of a thousand other celebrities who have gotten caught doing something dumb or immoral. The word 'apology' has changed it's meaning from earlier writings. At the time of the Apostle Paul it meant to make a defense in support of a system of belief. It meant standing up for what you believe in. Today the word tends toward being sorry, having pity or sympathy. Usually these celebrities are not standing up for a system of belief, they are usually explaining their regret and desire to change. God gave His Word for doctrine, reproof AND correction so that people could alter damaging pathways and get to the right solutions to life to stand on a system of belief that is secure.

The Corinthian church had some issues that  were holding them down.  The apostle Paul reproved them  in detail as to how to handle the difficult situations. In II Corinthians 7:8-10 he said, 

8 For though I made you sorry with a letter, I do not repent (regret, metamelomai), though I did repent: for I perceive that the same epistle hath made you sorry, though it were but for a season. 9 Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance (change the mind, metanoia): for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing. 10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation (wholeness) not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.  11 For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness (diligent effort) it wrought in you, yea, what clearing (apologeia) of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear(respect), yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge (execution of right justice)! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear (pure) in this matter. 

To get clearing in a matter it involves the mind and reasoning. Paul was applauding their thinking things through and changing their system of beliefs in their actions. All of it involved the mechanics of the mind: reasoning, conscience, judgement, memory, believing, and perception. 

There are people in this world clearly looking for truth and an accurate knowledge of the things of God. God has set forth His Word and the benefits of the Word is not just in its being a good book, but as it sets forth true life. It takes all the mechanics of the mind to decide to  trust God and His Word. Believing God's Word starts with a hearing, it doesn't just fall on us. We must make the commitment to hear and think and not just let somebody else do that for us. The truth, when arrived at, sets people free. It does not bind us. We don't have to feel sorry about the truth!