What Is Repentance?

Repentance is made up of three things:

1. There is a change of mind.  We wish to do good instead of wishing to do evil.

2. There is a change of heart.  Instead of loving sin we have now "set our affections on things above."  We love Jesus Christ and His commandments.  "O how love I thy law!" (Psalm 119:97).  This can never come about by an act of will, but only by an act of God.  He gives us a "new heart" and a new "spirit" (Ezekiel 18:31).  We become "partakers of the divine nature" (2 Peter 1:4).  And then "it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure" (Phil. 2:13).

3. There is a change of life.  Thereby we show that our repentance is real and true.

How Do I Repent?

Steps in repentance:

1. Acknowledge- you admit that you are sinful.

2. Stop- stop the sin that is separating you from God.

3. Apologize- tell God that you are sorry for your sin against Him and need His help.

4. Turn Around- forsake your sin.

5. Start- start going in the right direction, towards God, and away from your sin.

6. Don't Stop- don't stop.

More On Repentance-

True Repentance - by Dr. David Downs 

Repentance and the Universal Call of the Gospel - by Bob DeWaay
   Part 1
   Part 2

What Does It Mean To Repent - audio from The Way of the Master Radio.

Salvation By Grace - a chart on the fundamentals of salvation by Steve Miller.