Repentance toward God.

     Solemnly testifying to both Jews and Greeks of repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.
                                            Acts 20:21NASB

     Up to this point we have seen that we have an issue of the heart called sin, or rebellion against God. This has estranged us from fellowship with Him, and carries the penalty of eternal torment away from His presence.
     We have seen that without a radical change, we are hopelessly lost. There is nothing that we can do in and of ourselves to remedy this situation.
     We have also seen that God has provided a remedy for us; a heart transplant. We can have our sinful hearts changed into soft obedient hearts that desire to live in submission to God, and for His glory.
     God offers us eternal life through Jesus Christ. He is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9).
     Repentance is foundational to saving faith. Without repentance one cannot expect to come to the knowledge of  saving truth (2 Timothy 2:25). A willing heart is essential to understanding the teachings of Christ (John 7:16-17). It does not work both ways. We cannot have the life of Jesus flowing through us, while clinging to our old life of sin.
     Remember, we need new hearts. We
have to let go of the old heart to receive a new one!
     Repentance can be defined as a change of direction. We were living a life of sin leading to destruction. Our lives were filled with self, not caring how we offended God, or others. Now we have been convicted by the law of God as lawbreakers. We see the error of our ways. We understand we have offended God, and sorrow fills our heart.
     There are two kinds of sorrow mentioned in Paul's letter to the Corinthians. The sorrow of the world that leads to death, and godly sorrow that produces repentance unto salvation (2 Corinthians 7:10).
     The sorrow of the world deals with being caught, not desiring to face the consequences of our actions. People with this kind of sorrow desire to change to avoid the consequences. They are still selfish at heart. They do not care that they have grieved the heart of a loving God. This sorrow leads to death.
     True godly sorrow leads one to see that they have offended God and deserve His judgment. They desire to return to Him in humble submission, not for what He can do for them, but because they see that they have been evil in their rebellion against Him. Like the prodigal they have seen the error of their ways, and desire to return to their father (Luke 15:17-19).
     David said "Against you only have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight" (Psalm 51:4). He was not looking to avoid punishment, he was broken over his sin, and how it offended God (Psalm 51:17). Notice how David desired a clean heart (Psalm 51:10).
     Repentance is our first step in restoration to God. Turning from our present course of sin, and submitting ourselves to God, must precede the exercise of faith, as both are a gift from God (2 Timothy 2:25, Ephesians 2:8). It is impossible to put our faith in Christ, while we are unwilling to submit to Him.