II. Having changed in this way, to begin a new life, to submit one's will to the will of God, to try to follow the holy example of the life of Christ, in a word, to become accustomed to every virtue. And if through weakness it happens to stumble or fall, immediately, acknowledging one's wretchedness, to resort to God's mercy, and ask forgiveness with deep humility.

III. To regret the sins committed before, even to the end of life, that with them he angered the lover of mankind God, did not listen, and fulfilled the evil will of His adversary, the devil, and thereby deserved eternal punishment for himself. This is Godly sorrow, which produces unfailing repentance unto salvation (2 Corinthians 7:10).

IV. The time that has passed, because it has been in vanity, voluptuousness, sins, and therefore lived in evil, is often to ponder and mourn, for from this will follow spiritual poverty, which is very necessary for repentance. Thus, looking around, a person will see his wretchedness, that he has nothing but sin, and thus he is very guilty before the judgment of God; thus he acknowledges his unworthiness together with the prodigal son: "Father, I am no longer worthy to be called thy son" (Luke 15:21), he will humble himself before his brethren, and will consider and mourn not them, but his own vices; he will forgive his neighbor's sins, so that he himself may receive forgiveness from God; he will be reconciled in every possible way with the one whom he has somehow offended.

Hope for the penitent

I. God Himself calls to repentance and commands us to repent (Luke 15:21).

II. God is long-suffering with us, that we may repent; waits for everyone and wants to receive him who kindly repents (Luke 15:21).

God in His holy word declared that Jesus Christ would judge the whole world with righteousness. And thus mercifully warns and encourages all to repentance, so that they may avoid the terrible condemnation of deeds (Matt. 25).

IV. God promised the penitent not to remember their sins: all his sins, the wicked one who repented, which he had committed, would not be remembered (Ezekiel 33:16).

V. God confirmed His promise and by His oath, that we should not hesitate to come to Him in repentance. "As I live," says the Lord, "I do not desire the death of the sinner, but that he should be converted and live" (Ezekiel 33:11).

VI. The examples of those who have repented and the mercy of those who have received from God testify to this; also the parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15) and the parable of the sheep lost and found, show the same mercy of God to sinners (Luke 15). Read the Menaion, and you will see satisfied examples of those who have repented.

VII. Christ also came into the world to save sinners: It is true and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners (1 Tim. 1:15). The Son of Man came to seek and save that which was lost.

VIII. The Heavenly Father rejoices with all the angels over the sinner who repents. Thus, I say to you, there is joy among the angels of God even over one sinner who repents, says Christ (Luke 15:10).