TRUE REPENTANCE IS THE RESULT OF GRATITUDE

Just moments before Jesus ascended into heaven, He instructed His disciples saying, "...that repentance AND remission of sins should be preached in His name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem" (Lk. 24:47). 

REMISSION

Remission, in the biblical sense, refers to "the forgiveness or pardon of sins."  Because sin always results in a death sentence (Rom. 6:23), Jesus, motivated by His love for mankind, took our place by dying on the cross for us!

*  Matthew 26:28 - "For this is My blood of the New Testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins."
*  Acts 10:43 - "To him give all the prophets witness, that through His name, whosoever believes in Him shall receive remission of sins."
*  Romans 3:25 - "Whom God has set forth to be a propitiation (the full payment or satisfaction of the sin debt) through faith in His blood, to declare His righteousness for the remission of sins...."
*  Hebrews 9:22 - "...without the shedding of blood, there is no remission."

REPENTANCE

Repentance is to have a change of heart; to turn from doing one's own will, and to seek to do God's will.  Repentance is seen in those who acknowledge Jesus Christ as Lord (Rom. 10:9-10), and in a life lived in which one's gratitude to God is evidenced by obedience to His will (Mt. 3:8; Acts 26:20; Rom. 2:4).

*  Matthew 9:13 - "But go and learn what this means, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."
*  Mark 2:17 - "When Jesus heard it, He said to them, Those who are whole have no need of the physician, but those who are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."
*  Luke 5:32 - "I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."
*  Acts 5:31 - "Him has God exalted with His right hand to be a Prince and a Savior, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins."
*  Acts 11:18 - "When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then has God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life."
*  Acts 20:21 - "Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Gentiles, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ."
*  2 Corinthians 7:9-10 - "Now I rejoice not that you were made sorry, but that you sorrowed to repentance: for you were made sorry after a godly manner, that you might receive damage by us in nothing.  For godly sorrow works repentance to salvation not to be repented of:  but the sorrow of the world works death."
*  Hebrews 6:1 - "Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God."
*  2 Peter 3:9 - "The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance."