REPENT, for the Kingdom of God is near.(Mt. 3.2, 4.17, Acts 2, 3)

You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.” - The Princess Bride

And first, repent, that is, know yourselves. - John Wesley in “The Way to the Kingdom”

Repentance is NOT
A. Feeling guilty
B. Asking for forgiveness
C. Doing it all over again

That is CHEAP GRACE

Repentance is
1. Always God initiated - Acts 3 shows that repentance, in this instance, came about by signs / wonders, Scripture, and sermon.

2. Realizing that there is a road that leads to life and you are not on it. (self-knowledge)

3. Turning and trusting God to lead and empower us to get there

The road to life is costly discipleship not cheap grace.

Repentance leads to
1. Accepting the forgiveness of sins. Forgiveness exists before we repent. Therefore, God does not forgive us because we repent but because God is faithful and loving.

2. Refreshing from God - New Creation