The one who feels deeply guilty will deeply repent. As the Spirit of conviction takes hold, man responds by being sorry for his sin, by turning from sin, by changing his mind, and his whole attitude from sin. For repentance is to think again. It is changing ones mind about sin, about life itself, about God and his will for man. It is turning about from a self-centered life to a God centered life. It is a turning from something and a turning to something-from sin and to God. Repentance is personal sorrow for personal sin against a personal God. But it must be a desire for a changed life. It is because man repents that God can forgive and that man can receive forgiveness. That which has broken the relationships of life must be put out of the way. You must desire to know God to start the steps necessary to knowing him. It is by obedience and prayer that a foundation is laid for faith that God forgives and saves. To stress the steps of faith is not to set it over repentance or to say which precedes the other. One would not repent unless he had some faith God will forgive. One cannot have faith unless he desires to repent. The two together are to be understood simply as the moving of the soul toward God. Faith is repentance made hopeful . Faith means faith in God as revealed in Jesus Christ. It is always personal. Faith in a personal God which brings salvation. Faith is believing the "good news" that life can be made new. Faith is more that mumbling a formula for believing means choosing, deciding, giving yourself to God, who in response to man's giving, gives Himself. All of this requires humility, for only he who becomes like a little child can enter the kingdom of Heaven.

            Back in my youth when I first became a Christian, I didn't really understand what confession and repentance meant. I thought it was necessary to beg God's forgiveness for every sin. That left me worried I might forget to confess some error--and even wondering if I was truly saved, since I kept doing wrong. But as I grew up in my faith, I learned the steps a believer takes to deal with sin.

            Confession is the act of taking responsibility for sin and agreeing with God that we've violated His will. We acknowledge that we have grieved His heart by trying to get our perceived needs met in our own way and timing. Setting the relationship right begins with admitting where we went wrong.

            Repentance is the decision to turn away from our sin. We make an honest evaluation of our life and see that our wrong choices neither honor the Lord nor fit who we are as believers. Then we focus our mind on God and commit to doing His will.

            Gratitude is our expression of thanks for divine mercy. Forgiveness isn't earned; confession, repentance, and feelings of guilt can never "purchase" a clean slate. We receive divine pardon only through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, which allows us to have a relationship with God.

            After confessing, repenting, and praising God, we move on. To wallow in remorse doesn't suit Christians. The Father has removed our sin as far as the east is from the west, and the way we live should reflect our freedom (Psalm 103:12; Galatians 5:1).