We use the word repent many times to mean that we are sorry for our sins.
This is not what it means,,,even though so many use it incorrectly that we have to accept it.
Repent means to change our mind...to turn and go the other way.
When we're born we are lost and walking toward satan.
Then we REPENT,,,turn around and go the other way...
NOW we are walking toward GOD.
Really, we repent only one time in our lives....maybe two even.
But NOT every time we sin.....
What happens when we sin is that we're sorry for our sin and confess our sin and it's forgiven.
I agree that this is a possible view to take. So I ask myself a question.
Did God ask people to specify particular sins to confess and offer sacrifices for, and was He very specific
about for what should be done for particular sins? And the answer is yes.
Now the temple is the shadow of Gods attitude to sin and how we resolve and grow in grace.
So in the new covenant, we are to deal with sin in a similar way. Jesus is the atoning sacrifice but
getting right about sin has not changed.
'When anyone is guilty in any of these ways, he must confess in what way he has sinned
and, as a penalty for the sin he has committed, he must bring to the LORD a female lamb or goat from the flock as a sin offering; and the priest shall make atonement for him for his sin.
Lev 5:5-6
Say to the Israelites: 'When a man or woman wrongs another in any way and so is unfaithful to the LORD, that person is guilty
and must confess the sin he has committed. He must make full restitution for his wrong, add one fifth to it and give it all to the person he has wronged.
Num 5:6-7
Now the principles are simple. Theft or slander is different to murder, or taking the Lords name in vain.
You can make restitution for theft and give back the stolen items and pay more for the crime.
Murder is different, and the civil authorities have to get involved.
It is easy to think about daily issues, wrong thoughts, not honouring speed limits, or something we are
obligated to, lying about things to avoid consequences etc. There maybe little consequences to make
restitution for, but without being specific and working through our rebellion it is easy for sin to be
a lifestyle rather than acknowledging we are a Holy people called to be light shinning in the darkness.