Soon after I became a Christian brother Bob Bowles gave me a copy of the Westminster Confession of Faith. It is one of the great Confessions influenced by the Reformation. Although it contains some obvious Presbyterian distinctives it remains a sound and faithful guide to the Christian faith.

In chapter 15 titled “Of Repentance unto Life” we find 5 paragraphs that will introduce today’s lesson from the book of Colossians. Paragraph 1 . . .
Repentance to eternal life is an evangelical grace,a (a gift from God) repentance is to be preached by every minister of the Gospel, along with the necessity of faith in Christ for salvation.b a. Zech 12:10; Acts 11:18. b. Luke 24:47; Mark 1:15; Acts 20:21.
Paragraph 2 . . .
By repentance, the sinner, sensing the danger of judgement, and the filthiness and odiousness of his sins, as being contrary to the holy nature, and righteous law of God; and understanding the promise of God’s mercy in Christ to those who repent and believe, so grieves over, and hates his sins, that he turns from them all unto God, determined to walk with Him in all the ways of His commandments’ a. Ezek. 18:30–31; 36:31; Isa. 30:22; Ps. 51:4; Jer. 31:18–19; Joel 2:12–13; Amos 5:15; 119.128" class="scriptRef">Ps. 119:128; 2 Cor. 7;11. b. Ps. 119:6, 59, 106; Luke 1:6; 2 Ki. 23:25. Paragraph 3 . . .
Although repentance is not to be rested in, as a satisfaction for sin, or the cause of pardon a which is only by God’s free grace in Christ;b yet, repentance is of such necessity to all sinners, that none may expect pardon without it.c a. Ezek. 36:31–32; 16:61–63. b. 4.2" class="scriptRef">Hos. 14:2, 4; Rom. 3:24; Eph. 1:7. c. Luke 13:3, 5; Acts 17:30–31. Paragraph 4 . . .
There is no sin so small, that it doesn’t deserve damnation;a likewise, there is no sin so great, that it can damn one who truly repents, believes in, and follows Christ.b a. Rom. 6:23; 5:12; Matt. 12:36. b. Isa. 55:7; Rom. 8:1; Isa. 1:16, 18. Paragraph 5 . . .
Men ought not to content themselves with a general repentance, rather it is every man’s duty to repent of his particular sins. The one who seeks forgiveness must acknowledge the truth about his practice of sin in thought, word, and deed, and repent or turn from it all.a a. Ps. 19:13; Luke 19:8; 1 Tim. 1:13, 15. (End Quote – some antiquated language updated)