How do we know true repentance is necessary?

Scripture clearly indicates that true repentance is not just important but essential for salvation. Without it, one cannot genuinely seek Jesus or lay their burdens before Him. As Winslow illustrates, no one will truly come to Christ until they recognize the weight of their sin and their desperate need for a Savior. The Holy Spirit works conviction in the heart, leading one to godly sorrow for sin, which in turn prompts repentance. This cycle is affirmed in the call to 'repent and be converted' found in Acts 3:19, pointing to the necessity of repentance as integral in the life of faith. Repentance reorients the sinner towards God, preparing them for the grace and forgiveness found in Christ alone.