Repentance

Jesus said "Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at Hand"But what exactly is Repentance? Its not a word used a lot here in Modern America. What does the dictionary say about it:

Main Entry: 1re·pent Pronunciation: ri-'pentFunction: verbEtymology: Middle English, from Old French repentir, from re- + pentir to be sorry, from Latin paenitEre -- more at PENITENTintransitive senses1 : to turn from sin and dedicate oneself to the amendment of one's life2 a : to feel regret or contrition b : to change one's mindtransitive senses1 : to cause to feel regret or contrition2 : to feel sorrow, regret, or contrition for- re·pent·er noun


Here is one example:Several years ago after the breakup of a destructive relationship I was driving down a country road. Up until this time I had lived in illusion and believed I had "loved" this women and that I had been hard done by.Then all of a sudden in a moment of clarity I realized that I had not loved her at all. I realized that I was selfish. It was an incredibly painful experience and I felt like I was dying, I wept.

Afterwards there was a sort of peace that I had faced up to the Truth. That is repentance and that is what God wants from us.To admit to the Truth. And for some of us that is very, very painful because we have been very, very sinful.

Mark 2:17-19 (King James Version)
17When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

"Ye shall know the Truth, and the Truth shall set you free”