Repentance

Thomas Watson lays out repentance in a helpful way.

We use this word a lot, but what does it really mean? And more importantly how do we do it.

What it is not: 

1. A sense of guilt (feeling bad)
2. A resolution against sin, based on circumstances, (bargaining, if only you do this I’ll never sin again. 
3. Leaving some sins yet keep others. An old sin may be left to pursue another. “Sin exchanged, heart unchanged” Sin left off for self interest. 

True leaving of sin results with the infusion of grace, like light ceases to be dark when there is an infusion of light. 

Repentance is a grace of God’s Spirit whereby a sinner is inwardly humbled and visibly reformed. For a further amplification, know that repentance is a spiritual medicine made up of 6 special ingredients:

1. Sight of Sin
2. Sorrow for Sin
3. Confession of Sin
4. Shame for Sin
5. Hatred of Sin
6. Turning from Sin

You can read the whole book here for free.