This is followed by turning to God for help.
There are two kinds of repentance depending on the timing of it.
First, there is the initial repentance of turning to God. Instead of worshipping idols or worshipping the world or worshipping yourself, you start worshipping God. This is the one-time event that leads to salvation, Matthew 4:
17 From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”
2Cor 7:
10 For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a **repentance** without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death.
Second, there is continual repentance, 1 John 1:
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
Paul spoke in Acts 26:
20b I preached that they should [Type 1] repent and turn to God and demonstrate their [Type 2] repentance by their deeds.
Besides turning to God, Paul pointed out a demonstration by practical works. This leads to Type-2 repentance. This is a continual repentant heart in the believer. This is to keep us faithful in choosing God's will in our daily life, Rev. 2:
5 ‘Therefore remember from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at first; or else I am coming to you and will remove your lampstand out of its place — unless you **repent**.
Both kinds of repentance are necessary.
Does our repentance forgive future sins?
Yes but only in the first sense of the word. In the second sense, we need to have a repentant heart daily.
