Acts26:20 First to those in Damascus, then to those in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and then to the Gentiles, I preached that they should repent and turn to God and demonstrate their repentance by their deeds.NIV
The word repent is from the Greek word 'Metanoia'. It means to have a change of mind. Not just that alone, the change of mind must lead to a change of character and behaviour. It is a 360 degrees turning from what is bad to what is good. Many come to God asking for forgiveness, you can only obtain forgiveness when God sees that you have truly repented from your sin. Where does it start? From your heart.
Though repentance starts from the heart but it doesn't stop there. Repentance must be seen. John knew what he was saying when he told the Jews to bring forth fruit that shows they have truly repented, Matthew3:8. Repentance has visible fruits. Repentance is an action word, it is a verb. That is why when a man comes to Christ after saying the sinner's prayer, it is expected of him or her to show through righteous deeds that he has repented. There are many professing believers today who bask in the euphoria of being born again but it only remains a mere cliché but not in demonstration. The proof of a true believer is not engagements in church activities but in a changed life.
Apostle Paul openly declared that he preached repentance and that the people should turn to God and demonstrate their repentance by their deeds. I hear some folks who claim to be Pauline in their teaching and doctrine, they emphasize on the grace of God that brings eternal salvation but not the demonstration of that salvation through good deeds. They quickly say that if you preach repentance alone, that is works. Then I've always asked, what kind of Pauline doctrine are they teaching? The Pauline 'gospel' is what we see in Acts26:20. The gospel that excludes the demonstration of a changed life from its teaching is an incomplete gospel. Preachers, don't be afraid to tell people to turn from their sins after they have turned to God by accepting Christ. You are not preaching works, you are preaching a valid gospel. If Paul, John, Jesus and other apostles preached this gospel, why should yours be different?
father, I receive grace to demonstrate repentance and to preach it In Jesus name