What does it mean to repent in Christianity?

Repentance is a crucial aspect of Christian faith that entails rethinking one's relationship with sin and turning towards God. This is supported by 1 Thessalonians 1:9, which describes how believers turned from idols to serve the living and true God. Genuine repentance is not merely feeling sorry for sins; rather, it is a fundamental change of heart that results in a transformed life driven by the desire to follow Christ. This process is made possible through the work of the Holy Spirit, which empowers believers to recognize their sin and to pursue holiness.