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Repentance
In plain words
Turning around: changing your mind about sin and God, and turning from sin back to Him.
Repentance sounds like an old word, but it is simple. It means you stop walking one way and turn around. It is more than feeling bad. You agree with God that something is wrong, and you turn back to Him. Jesus told a story about a son who wasted everything, came to his senses and went home to his father, who ran to meet him (Luke 15:17-20).
Go further Growing
Repentance is not a one-time event at the start. It is a way of life: whenever you notice sin, you turn back to God again. There is a sorrow that leads to real change and a sorrow that only crushes you (2 Corinthians 7:10). God wants the first. Heaven rejoices over one person who repents (Luke 15:7), so you never have to be afraid to come back.
Go deeper Going deeper
Hebrew shuv means to turn or return, and the prophets call Israel again and again to return to the LORD. Greek metanoia means a change of mind that leads to a change of direction. John the Baptist preached repentance (Mark 1:4), and Jesus began His own preaching with the call to repent and believe (Mark 1:15). Christians differ on whether repentance comes logically before faith or flows from it, but agree that the two belong together.
My verses
“The time is fulfilled,” He said, “and the kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe in the gospel!”
In the same way, I tell you that there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous ones who do not need to repent.
Finally he came to his senses and said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have plenty of food? But here I am, starving to death! I will get up and go back to my father and say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.”’ So he got up and went to his father. But while he was still in the distance, his father saw him and was filled with compassion. He ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him.
Repent, then, and turn back, so that your sins may be wiped away.
Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation without regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.