Asking For Forgiveness Does Not Necessarily Mean Repentance
Pharaoh asked for forgiveness but later on revealed his true heart condition.
* Pharaoh asking for forgiveness: "Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron in haste, and said, "I have sinned against the LORD your God and against you. Now therefore, please forgive my sin only this once, and entreat the LORD your God, that He may take away from me this death only." Exodus 10:17-18
* Pharaoh later on revealing his true heart condition: "Then Pharaoh said to him, "Get away from me! Take heed to yourself and see my face no more! For in the day you see my face you shall die!" Ex 10:28
Repentance is a change of heart attitude towards God, sin, self and Christ. It is taking God seriously, hating sin, realizing one's helplessness in saving oneself and trusting in Christ for salvation.
It is possible for our mouths to ask for forgiveness somewhat like Pharaoh's and yet, all the while, the heart remains unrepentant as ever. It is true that out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks, but it is also true that the mouth can profess what it does not have in the heart.
People put labels on a can because that's exactly what's inside of it. But it is also possible to put labels on a can without any substance at all on the inside.
Sadly, a lot of people only have the label in their mouths but never have the substance in their hearts. Are you one of them?
