repentance:  noun.  a repenting; a penitent state; feeling of sorrow, especially for wrongdoing; contrition; remorse.

'Metanoeo', one of the Greek words used for repentance in the New Testament, means to change one's mind and purpose, as the result of after-knowledge.  It is a change of mind and purpose and life, to which remission of sin is promised.

All have been found guilty of sin by a Holy God and sentenced to death.

If sinful man is to escape this eternal death and be instead eternally saved, he must receive God's mercy.  Mercy, in this respect, is God withholding from us the penalty which we deserve for our sin.

But, God does not bestow His mercy on people without condition, even though the gift of salvation is just that....a free gift.  Salvation is free, without price, and cannot be earned.  The condition upon which God grants this mercy is repentance.

John the Baptist came preaching the Word of God and his message was simple and powerful:  "Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand".  (Matthew 3:2)

Peter also confirms that repentance is a requirement of salvation when he says: "Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out."  (Acts 3:19)

More importantly, Jesus said, in Luke 24:47 "and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations."

Only through repentance can the door of mercy be opened and the free gift of salvation be obtained.

All the world shares is this message from Paul to the Romans:  "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."  (Romans 3:23)  Further, Paul says:  "There is none righteous, no not one." (Romans 3:10), and Isaiah said: "All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way." (Isaiah 53:6)

Notice the central thought of these verses:
....All have sinned
....None are righteous
....All have strayed

"All" means "all", and "none" means "none".  This includes everyone. 

Ezekiel 18:4  -  "Behold, all souls are  Mine;....the soul who sins shall die."

Your soul, your life belongs to God.  The man or woman who does not recognize God as the Master of his or her life is in disobedience and sin.

Your sin has separated you from God.  As you think about your life and your sins, think also about God.  God is without sin - therefore, He is Holy, Righteous and Just.  Because He is Holy, Righteous and Just, God says sin must be judged - see Ecclesiastes 12:4.

There is a great gulf between the unrepentant sinner and God.  Unless you find a way to bridge that gulf between a Holy God and sinful man, you will die an eternal death!

But, there is a way, and there is a hope!

God loves you, even though you are a sinner, and living in sin.  His love has made a way for you to be saved...John 3:16

God will carry out His judgment on sin, and if this justice would be meted out to man, he would instantly die.  Therefore, God, not willing that any should perish, sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to take the penalty of our sins upon Himself that we may live.

Jesus came to this world for the express purpose of redeeming our souls.  He was holy, without sin, the spotless Lamb of God. God's love for us was proven when He took our sins, our guilt, and the wages of death, and put them upon Jesus. 

True repentance begins as you ponder in your heart the terrible scene of Jesus crucified.  By the power of the Holy Spirit, you will realize that you should have died rather than Jesus, but Jesus took your place.  As this realization breaks into your heart, it will bring sorrow and regret for your sin.

"For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation....."  (2 Corinthians 7:10)

As we think of the judgment of God being poured out on Jesus, knowing it was we who deserved death, we cry out "God, be merciful to me, a sinner."  (Luke 8:13)

This is the first work of repentance.  As repentance continues, it accomplishes a complete turning away from our former ways of sin to the ways of God.  The person who has been washed clean of his evil ways will turn from those ways to the things of God. 

Finally, repentance results in a deep appreciation and loyalty to Jesus Christ, and to God's will.  When we were doomed to die, with no way out, Jesus Christ said:

"Come to me.....and I will give you rest."  (Matthew 11:28)