The meaning of repentance

“First to those in Damascus, then to those in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and to the Gentiles also, I preached that they should repent and turn to God and prove their repentance by their deeds.” Acts 26:20
Repentance is a critical part of a person’s conversion. Repentance was what Jesus preached at the start of His ministry (Mark 1:14-15). It is listed as one of the basic principles of the Christian faith (Heb. 6:1). It leads to salvation (2 Cor. 7:10). Repentance is what enables our sin to be removed (Acts 3:19).
Repentance is not simply feeling sorry for our sin, although this is what Paul calls ‘godly sorrow’ which leads to true repentance (2 Cor. 7:10). Many people can feel sorry, because their sin has brought about painful consequences – but this is not repentance. Repentance arises from regret that we have sinned against God, and hurt Him by doing so. Repentance involves change, turning things around in your life, so that instead of living to please yourself, you try to live to please God. (We can’t do this in our own strength, but it’s as we try to live righteously, the Holy Spirit enables us to do it, more and more, as we grow in maturity in Christ.)
Because repentance involves a changed life, it should be evident to other people. This is what Paul means when he says that our repentance can be proven by our deeds. Here’s a question for all of us: do our workmates, our friends, our family, know we are Christians? Or have we kept our light so well hidden that they don’t suspect a thing?