real repentance

The FACT is that the Bible never uses the phrases “repent of your sins” or “turn from your sins” in regards to salvation. Salvation is a free gift of God—not of works—and relies totally upon God’s mercy through the LITERAL blood sacrifice of Jesus Christ (Hebrews 9:12); not forsaking one’s sinful lifestyle (Titus 3:5, Ephesians 2:8,9).

“Repent” in regards to salvation does not mean “stop living in sin.” It means to “change one’s mind.” Carefully notice in Mark 1:15 what Jesus said… “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.”

Notice that Jesus DIDN’T say “repent ye, and forsake your sins.” No, rather, Jesus said, “repent ye, and believe the gospel.”

from JESUS IS SAVIOR WEBSITE

“The Gospel is not a call to repentance, or to amendment of our ways, to make restitution for past sins, or to promise to do better in the future. These things are proper in their place, but they do not constitute the Gospel; for the Gospel is not good advice to be obeyed, it is good news to be believed. Do not make the mistake then of thinking that the Gospel is a call to duty or a call to reformation, a call to better your condition, to behave yourself in a more perfect way than you have been doing in the past …

Nor is the Gospel a demand that you give up the world, that you give up your sins, that you break off bad habits, and try to cultivate good ones. You may do all these things, and yet never believe the Gospel and consequently never be saved at all.”

- Dr. Harry A. Ironside