Repentance is a gift from God. Man is enabled to repent because God works upon and within him. Our own efforts only get in God’s way. God uses both external and internal means to turn a man to Himself.

The revelation of God’s goodness leads to repentance.

God reveals the goodness of His character to men in order to lead them to repentance. He does this through a general providence, sending rain and sunshine upon the just and the unjust. He also does it through special favor. God may show His goodness to a man through kindness and mercy in circumstances. 

“Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?” (Rom. 2:4). 

 God’s sovereign call draws men to repentance.

“I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance “(Matt. 9:13). 

 God uses the ministry of His Word to create repentance in the heart of man. 

“Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart . . . “(Acts 2:37). 

 God uses reproof, rebuke, and chastening to prod men to repentance.

“As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent” (Rev. 3:19). 

God may stir us to pray for Him to turn us.

When we find that we cannot turn and know that we should, we can ask God to turn us. God’s answer to this prayer may involve chastening through circumstances. 

“. . turn thou me, and I shall be turned; for thou art the LORD my God. Surely after that I was turned, I repented; and after that I was instructed, I smote upon my thigh: I was ashamed, yea, even confounded, because I did bear the reproach of my youth” (Jer. 31:18, 19).