"Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God - this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind..." (Romans 12:1-2)
The Scripture listed above is dealing with 'repentance' - "do not conform any longer...but be transformed." You see, repentance is not a once in a lifetime commitment. It's not simply an apology with a promise to do better. Repentance is a whole new lifestyle.
Repentance is a sincere determination to change the way we live - to stop, turn around, and head in a different direction.
Repentance is cooperating with God in the transformation of our character.
Repentance is a heart posture that is reflected in the choices we make.
Repentance is indeed an act of worship!
We do not repent in order to earn forgiveness; I believe we repent as a response to having already been forgiven. Remember the words of Romans 5:8 - "While we were still sinners, Christ died for us!". He did not wait for us to clean up our act or behave ourselves properly. He died while we were hopelessly lost.
When we discover that forgiveness is God's gift to us, it makes us want to change the way we live. He who has been forgiven much...loves much!
Repentance then, ceases to be an occasional act of desperation...but instead becomes a continual expression of love and gratitude!!
May each of us live this week in a lifestyle of repentance and worship!!