How do we know true repentance is a gift from God?

True repentance cannot originate from human effort; it is a gift bestowed by God through His Spirit. As indicated in the sermon, a man must come to the end of himself and his own efforts to experience genuine repentance. The publican's cry for mercy serves as a paradigm for true repentance, where he acknowledges his sinfulness without attempting to justify himself (Luke 18:13). Moreover, true repentance must lead to a life marked by a continual desire for righteousness and an acknowledgment of one’s need for Christ. This ongoing state is enabled by the Spirit of God who also grants the gift of faith, reinforcing that both repentance and faith are divine gifts, not human achievements.