Repentance is the preposition of time and change and primarily an after-thought venture accompanied by regret and change of conduct in a person's character and action. Sometimes demonstrating itself with outward display of self-affliction, as in fasting, tearing the upper garment, and wearing rough sackcloth, sitting, laying down and sleeping on the ground. Repentance is the act of repenting, and this includes the confessing and forsaking of sins, turning from the things of Satan unto God. However, true repentance requires a more dedicated compliance, the bible Insisting rather on a complete change of the sinner's mental and spiritual attitude. which demands a regeneration of the conscious transformed heart, determine to strive after righteousness which brings pardon and peaceful forgiveness of sins, repentance is the prerequisite of atonement for wrongful actions against God as appose to man which would further require restitution to satisfy the offense, repentance is never too late, even on the day of death, to return to God with sincere repentance for "as the sea is always open for every one who wishes to cleanse himself, so are the gates of repentance always open to the sinners cry for clemency" Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. Isaiah 55:7. The doctrine of repentance in the scriptures is prominent, and is emphatically taught and refereed to in the Holy Scriptures by Christian believers who are the followers of Christ teaching. Jesus commanded his disciples to preach repentance (Luke 24:47; Peter's preaching to his fellow countrymen in the early part of the book of Acts may also indicate an exceptional need for repentance amongst those who had recently been party to the crucifixion of Christ. Acts 2:38 John the Baptist began his public ministry with a message of repentance, as did Jesus. In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. John warned the religious leaders to bring forth fruit in keeping with contrition for past conduct of sin. Matthew 3:1-2 From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. Matthew 4:17. Jesus with example of tangible things and use of everyday language, the penitent believer would go beyond an apology and seek a deeper Christian life. A positive description of repentance is found in the parable of the lost coin and the parable of the prodigal son. Luke Chapter fifteen. Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him. And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receive th sinners, and eateth with them. And he spake this parable unto them, saying, What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbors, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance. Luke 15:1-7 Repentance is personal to the individuals personality 2 Corinthians 7:10 it also has reference to national and geographic accountability. 1Samuel 7:3 Godly sorrow worth repentance in the heart, a new change will sweep over you, and This godly sorrow differs in nature from the sorrow of the world, worldly sorrow is more regret and remorse than true sorrow, the penitent sinner weeps because of sin not because of the consequences of being caught in the event of wrongful acts, but because he acknowledges sin for what it is. And sin is coming up short with God, so a person must change his ways by the act of Repenting, and asking God for forgiveness. Repentance is more than just what you do after you do something wrong. Repentance means to change your mind about sin and about God. If you return to the Lord with all your heart, remove the foreign gods. From among you and direct your hearts to the Lord...He will deliver you..." 1 Samuel. 7:3 "Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance" Matthew 3.8 John the Baptist wanted the people to show some positive sign that they had repented, He did not just want people to attend baptism services, being a churchgoer is not the answer. True repentance is not the result of excessive sinning; but rather, repentance is the result of being convicted by the Holy Spirit, who works through the Word, which is presented in our thoughts. We come to God by faith through inspired Preaching, teaching, witnessing and reading, the sinner sees himself as being on the wrong road to hell, And hates what he is doing against God and other people. He asks for forgiveness, and sincerely Believes on the name of Lord Jesus Christ to redeem him from sin. Luke 5.32 and Mark 6.12 Repentance does involve the emotions, your intellect, and your will; in each area there is a complete change of direction. Transformation is an interesting reformation package full of surprises, the return of the prodigal son made his elder brother more jealous and minimise his leadership qualities. (Luke 15.14-24) The live circumstances, which the prodigal son found himself helplessly adrift, Illustrates repentance as it relates to man three- fold nature. His intellect evaluated his Condition in relation to what he had left and concluded that he was living very foolishly. By being away from his father's house, alone without true friends, then his emotions expressed regret for what he had done His will determined that he would return back home. To trade earthly dependencies for Gods presence. The emotions, Psalms 51.10. A feeling of sorrow for sins committed, and desire to turn from them indicates a change of direction in his emotions and this is all before he has felt the revulsion and hatred of sin which is necessary before one is forgiven for it? The intellect Romans 1.32 Job 42.5 Luke 18.13 When repentance touches the intellect there is a change of mind, attitude, purpose, or views of how life is played out in a very intelligent way. Regarding ones direction and values in life. True meaning of life is now looked at with intelligent with analyzing hope The eyes which preciously was covered with the scales of blindness are now open to focus correctly on things that reflect the heavenly calling The will. John 1.9 Proverbs 28.13 Acts 26.18 In repentance the will of man is turn from sin to God, and this involves a determination to confess Sin, it also exercises the will to both forsake sin and turn to God "Except you repent, yea shall all likewise perish" (Luke13.3) Summary of observation. Other brethren will rejoice with you. Sometimes close family members and friends, When one sinner repents, there is joy in heaven as the angels celebrate his turning from death to life, repentance does not earn Gods forgiveness, but it places the person in position to receive it. And it is the pre requisite condition, which God requires, in the human heart before forgiveness takes place. Repentance can be extended to the individual. To a nation, to a country to a city. Jonahs message to Nineveh, the judgment of Sodom, Jesus lament over Jerusalem. Repentance must precede water baptism, and is not concurrent with it (Acts 2.38) The benefits of repentance are many. The Bible says, "...repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, when the times of refreshing comes from the presence of the Lord, filling your life more deeply with his abundant grace, by turning to God you are reassured of eternal life, he sooths your hurt and comforts your heart, he will help you to understand and repent from hidden idolatry, Repentance sets you on the path to deeper Christian life, there are no earthly substitute that can draw you nearer to God than true repentance which will give greater joy in the future, Ho! Every one who thirsts, come to the waters...delight yourself in abundance" (Isaiah. 55:1,2).