Repentance is a vital prerequisite for entry into God's Kingdom. We must distinguish false repentance (including worldly sorrow, stemming from self pity, as illustrated by Esau's bitter sorrow) and penance (attempting to pay for one's faults through self-flagellation) from true repentance, which is always coupled with faith and is a continuous turning away from sin, mortifying the flesh, and an active turning toward righteousness in intellectual, emotional (change of heart), and volitional (actual change of the will, conduct, or behavior) dimensions- as is illustrated by the parable of the Prodigal Son and the repentance of David after having committed adultery with Bathsheba. God actually initiates the process of repentance within us. The apostle Paul suggests that the fruits of repentance involve clearing, indignation, fear, desire, zeal, revenge, and forgiveness. If we fail to forgive others, God is not obligated to forgive us.