Pop singer Justin Bieber recently made headlines due to internet videos taken several years ago in which the pop singer is seen making offensive racist jokes involving the n-word.
However, the "Boyfriend" singer seems to be sorrowful for his actions.
On Wednesday, Bieber posted a photo to his Instagram account of a page from the devotional Jesus Calling by Sarah Young. The page discusses how to deal with sin in one's life, emphasizing that when we follow Christ, we are treated by God on the basis of Christ's righteousness rather than our own.
Yesterday, the popstar released a statement apologizing for his actions, saying he takes full responsibility for what happened "years ago."
"Facing my mistakes from years ago has been one of the hardest things I've ever dealt with," Bieber said in the statement. "But, I feel now that I need to take responsibility for those mistakes and not let them linger. Once again, I am sorry for all those I have let down and offended. I just hope that the next kid that age who doesn't understand the power of these words does not make the same mistake I once made years ago. At the end of the day I just need to step up and own what I did."
Bieber's manager Scooter Braun also posted an image to Instagram of a separate statement, saying that how a man reacts to mistakes "defines him more than the mistake himself."
The 20 year old singer has experienced several run-ins with the law over the past year, including a DUI in Miami, an assault charge in Toronto, and felony vandalism probe in Los Angeles. Yet has seemed to be cleaning up his act, regularly meeting with Hillsong pastor Carl Lentz and posting Bible verses on his Facebook and Twitter accounts.
Lentz has publicly defended Bieber, saying everyone has a right to be loved and pastored, regardless of their mistakes.
"[Bieber and I] talked last night and there were moments there where I just had to take a breath and say "I don't know how you do it, bro," he told Relevant magazine. " I mean, people come up and put the cameras in your face, nonstop. They are horrifically rude. So, I think for us, we have never looked at what somebody does, we try to look at who they are-God has called us to talk to people. So whether you're a nobody or a somebody in this world's eyes, you should have a right to have love and to be pastored."
Bieber says that despite his past actions, he is a strong Christian and committed to his faith.
"I'm a Christian, I believe in God, I believe that Jesus died on a cross for my sins," said in an interview with the Associated Press. "I believe that I have a relationship and I'm able to talk to Him and really, He's the reason I'm here, so I definitely have to remember that."
