“The whole proclamation of Jesus…is a proclamation of unconditional turning to God, of unconditional turning from all that is against God, not merely that which is downright evil, but that which in a given case makes total turning to God impossible…. [cp. the rich young ruler]
“It is addressed to all without distinction and presented with unmitigated severity in order to indicate the only way of salvation there is.
“Repentance calls for total surrender, total commitment to the will of God…. It embraces the whole walk of the new man who is claimed by the divine lordship. It carries with it the founding of a new personal relation of man to God…. It awakens joyous obedience for a life according to God’s will.”
-- "Repentance" (Theological Dictionary of the New Testament)
