Simply to turn away from our sin and return to God. Repentance involves a complete change of direction and mindset. The change from the way of rebellion against God, to the way of submission to God. Away from the dominating control of sin, towards the freedom that Jesus purchased for us with his sacrificial death and resurrection.

Repentance is primarily a decision, not a feeling — though feelings will likely accompany true repentance. There’s often tears and a deep sense of grief associated with the life we lived apart from God. True repentance can’t be faked and there is no alternate way to earn God’s acceptance.

Repentance is for everyone. The Holy Bible makes it clear that we all need this:

All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own.

(Isaiah chapter 53, verse 6)

For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.

(Romans chapter 3, verse 23)

Even believers need repentance. Many church attending folk have never actually turned to God in true repentance. Belief in God is not enough — action is needed. The action is to literally turn away from sin, our own ways, our own life and turn back to God.