121. What is repentance?

Repentance is a change of heart. The sinner rethinks, recognises, confesses, and repents of his sin and renounces it with all his heart.

“To repent”, therefore, does not mean “to atone” for one’s sin. Nobody can do that; that is why Christ died for our sin. Yet repentance is an act of man because it is a complete turning away from the previous life in sin.

• For I acknowledge my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. (Psalm 51:3)
• Peter remembered the word of Jesus who had said to him, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” So he went out and wept bitterly. (Matthew 26:75)
• Godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death. (2 Corinthians 7:10)