Christians are always talking about repentance. What is it, and why is it so important? Frankly, the word turns me off.

Repentance is simply realizing that something you have done has “missed the mark.” For a Christian (or a soon-to-be-Christian), you realize that the “mark” you have missed has something to do with being true. True to God, true to yourself, true to those you love, even true to those you hate. It is a turning around to accept God’s help in learning to be a true and good person; someone “in God’s image.” It is simply recognizing the limits of human beings to really do the right thing all the time without some spiritual help.

If you have never felt a need for repentance, then you are really special. Either you are very self-disciplined, or you are very self-contained and not affected by others’ feelings. As you grow older, this may change.

Suggested Reading: C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity.