Repentance is made up of three things:
- There is a change of mind. We wish to do good instead of wishing to do evil.
- 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).
- There is a change of life. Thereby we show that our repentance is real and true.
How Do I Repent?
Steps in repentance:
- Acknowledge- you admit that you are sinful.
- Stop- stop the sin that is separating you from God.
- Apologize- tell God that you are sorry for your sin against Him and need His help.
- Turn Around- forsake your sin.
- Start- start going in the right direction, towards God, and away from your sin.
- 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
Salvation By Grace - a chart on the fundamentals of salvation by Pastor Steve Miller.
