MEANING OF REPENTANCE.
According to the teachings of the scriptures, to repent means to feel sorrow for sins committed and to turn away from them; that is to do them no more. St. Paul, in writing to the Corinthian saints, says to them concerning their repentance:
"Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner that ye might receive damage by us in nothing. For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of; but the sorrow of the world worketh death." (II Corinthians 7: 9, 10).
The same apostle in exhorting the Ephesians to repent told them what they should do, or how they should repent. He says,
"Let him that stole steal no more." (Ephesians 4: 28).
One who sincerely repents will also seek to make restitution for wrongs done. If he has stolen he will return, if possible, that which he has taken. Such is the full meaning of repentance—to forsake sin.