The sovereign Lord declares, “Repent and live!”
“Therefore, you Israelites, I will judge each of you according to your own ways, declares the Sovereign LORD. Repent! Turn away from all your offenses; then sin will not be your downfall. Rid yourselves of all the offenses you have committed, and get a new heart and a new spirit. Why will you die, people of Israel? For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign LORD. Repent and live! (Eze. 18:30-32 NIV)
An honest, regretful acknowledgement of sin
Repentance is NOT asking God for forgiveness with the intent to sin again. Repentance is an honest, regretful acknowledgement of sin with a heartfelt commitment to change.
God commands people everywhere to repent
“In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent.” (Acts 17:30 NIV)
Repent and do what you did at first
“Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.” (Rev. 2:5 NIV)
Jesus said to repent and hold fast to what you have received and heard
“Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; hold it fast, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you.” (Rev. 3:3 NIV)