The Apostle Paul told the Corinthian church, “For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death” (2 Corinthians 7:10). Dr. J. Vernon McGee declared, “Repentance is a change of mind. As far as I can tell, the only repentance God asks of the lost is in the word believe. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ! What happens when one believes? There is a change of mind. There is a turning from something to Someone.”

My good friend, Pastor Mike Everson, has said, “Whenever someone tells me he has been saved, I ask him when he changed.” Mike makes a good point with this question, for true repentance is certainly a change of mind concerning yourself and Christ. It is a clear understanding and acknowledgment of one’s total unworthiness and sinfulness and acknowledgment that Christ is God and the only answer to his desperate need of a Savior.

Realizing one’s sinfulness and unworthiness is true humility. This pleases God because such repentance is so true and real. As long as a person is proud, he cannot be repentant and a candidate for salvation. The only way he can change is by repenting and fully realizing that he is truly a vile sinner, even if he has never committed any heinous sin. For pride is one of the worst of sins. God hates it and it keeps us away from God.

Realizing that Jesus Christ is the answer to everyone’s problem means sincerely believing that Christ is the very Son of God and thereby God Himself. It also involves believing that Christ has the power and willingness to save anyone who repents and calls on His name.

Speaking of repentance, Matthew Henry (Commentary) said, “Where the heart is changed, the life is changed, the life and actions will be changed too.”

This is where so many people get tripped up out of ignorance and misunderstanding of God’s Word (the Bible). Too many Christians doubt their own salvation because they think they must be “good” to be saved. This is a devil’s lie because the Bible makes it perfectly clear that there are no “good” people on Earth. (Romans 3:10-12).

Unfortunately, some preachers are ignorant of God’s Word and preach what Paul roundly condemned as “works salvation.” The truth, as clearly revealed in God’s Word, is that good deeds, which all Christians should desire to do, have nothing to do with salvation of anyone’s soul. Salvation comes only by grace alone through belief and trust in Christ. The Lord told us clearly in John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father but by Me.”

Why are so many Christians ignorant of God’s Word and worry needlessly? It is the lack of church attendance and lack of Bible study. God tells us clearly to assemble ourselves in Hebrews 10:25. He is telling us to attend church. That way we hear the truth proclaimed each week if we attend the right church.

Let me suggest that you find a church that preaches “Christ and Him crucified.” Attend a church in which the preacher preaches from the Bible, not from his own opinions or politics. If your preacher does not preach from the Bible, find another church.