How sorry do you have to be to repent?

Question:

How sorry do you have to be for your sins to repent? I am sorry, but I don't think I'm sad enough or something because I'm not in tears over my sins, even though I want to be. I worry about my salvation every day. It's been over ten years, and I'm miserable. I have asked for forgiveness and Jesus to save me so many times that I don't want to anymore. I sound like a broken record, and I don't even take myself seriously anymore. What do I do? How do I repent and be saved once and for all?

Answer:

Where do you find in the Bible that feelings indicate repentance or salvation? Being sorry leads to repentance (II Corinthians 7:9-11). It isn't repentance. It doesn't cause repentance. However, it is a motivator that leads a person to change. Repentance is a change in your behavior and how you view sin's acceptability. How much sorrow is needed? Enough to motivate you to change.

Right now, you sit there, wanting God to force you to change. It doesn't work that way. You are responsible for your decisions. You have to decide what you will do. God instructs us on how to behave properly. He tells us what we need to do to receive salvation (see How to Become a Christian). But the choice is yours to make. You can't be saved on your terms.