Yesterday the media was debating the apology made by the Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd who has apologised to those , some of themBritish migrants,who were abused or neglected in state   care as children.
I then heard a debate on the importance or futility of an apology, and the effect it had on those receiving it.
Most of us have to apologise for something at sometime in our lives,some of us more than others when my children apologise over some misdemeanour, it is immediately obvious the times they are being sincere and the times they are just doing it to get me off their case,the latter of course means nothing and does not help the situation.

So it is when we approach God with our confessions, are we truly sorry,do we truly repent or is it just a way of appeasing God? The latter will be meaningless to him, but the former will bring us freedom, peace and the promise of life eternal.
"And he (the thief on the cross) said to Jesus "Remember me, Jesus, when you come as King!"
Jesus said to him,"I promise you that today you will be in paradise with me." Luke 24 vs 42-43