No one can pursue two paths in life at the same time. Repentance means “to turn,” and “a change of thinking. Repentance involves adopting a new perspective on reality and includes a new view of sin.
An emotional response of remorse or regret goes along with repentance. The feeling itself is not true repentance. True repentance may start with remorse but also includes a decision to forsake sin.
Repentance is a sort of over sin, coupled with a sincere commitment to turn from sin and live to honor God. It is not motivated just by the consequences of sin, but a realization that our sin does not please God whether anyone catches us or not.
Along with faith, repentance is an indispensable condition for salvation. No one can be forgiven of sins without repentance. A person must turn away from their sinful self-directed life and turn to God.
In Mark 1:15 Jesus taught,
“The time is fulfilled, and God’s kingdom is at hand! Repent, and believe in the Good News.”
In Acts 17:30 Paul told the pagans,
“The times of ignorance therefore God overlooked. But now He commands that all people everywhere should repent.”
True repentance demonstrates that a person understands God’s good news and message of salvation. When people come to grips with the reality of sin, its seriousness, and its power they can truly appreciate what Jesus accomplished on the cross and how amazing God’s saving grace truly is.
Repentance from sin and trusting in Jesus are two sides of the same coin. No one can say they have true saving faith without any repentance for sin at the same time.
Genuine repentance takes place the minute a person understands the evil of their sin, and is truly sorry for it, and chooses to turn away from it. True repentance comes from the heart.
Repentance will eventually result in a life that honors God. People will continue to sin. But repentance places a person on a new path leading in a new direction.
Paul preached in Acts 26:20, that all must repent of their sins and turn to God and prove they have changed by the good things they do.
Repentance us necessary for a person to enter a relationship with God, it doesn’t end there. After this initial defining moment, the same attitude toward repentance makes our entire life a true believers.
In Revelation 3:3 Jesus called His followers to repent in Sadis,
“Remember therefore his you have received and heard. Keep it and repent. If therefore you ain’t watch, I will come as a thief, and you won’t know what hour I will come upon you.”
Every day believers should experience heartfelt repentance for any sins we have committed. We should continually place ourselves on the right path by owning our sins and turning from them as the occur.
From Pity to Praise 