Redemption is a term of broad and varied application. It is either
general or special. In one sense it is as broad as atonement. Atonement
is for sin; redemption is from sin and from all the sad results of sin.
In its more special meaning it is applicable only to those who accept
the atonement. For these it implies release from the bondage of the
will under the law of sin and death, or justification and regeneration.
It brings also release from the power and existence of depravity or
entire sanctification. It promises, in the future, the complete
glorification of the saints in body, soul and spirit at God's right
hand, and the deliverance of the creation itself from the "bondage of
corruption into the liberty of the glory of the children of God."

The first condition on which the benefits of the atonement are offered
to the sinner is repentance. Both the Saviour Himself and His
forerunner began their public ministry with words of like import, viz:
"Repent ye and believe the gospel." Repentance does not mean penance--
not a voluntary sacrifice in our own will for an expiation of sin--nor
is it merely sorrow for our past sins, although "godly sorrow" is one
of the elements of true repentance. The sorrow of the world may produce
remorse, that continual biting which tortures the soul of the lost; but
remorse is not repentance, and the sorrow of the world worketh not life
but death. True repentance involves a change of mind, a change of
purpose, a change of will, and implies not only a godly sorrow for sin
--sorrow not only because the sin has resulted in physical or mental or
financial or reputational disaster--but because it has grieved the
Spirit of our God; and it implies not only sorrow for our sin but the
determination to forsake it as well. It is the afterthought, and
involves both regret for what we have done and the purpose to do so no
more.