* Don’t settle for cheap repentance. Understand that repentance involves more than just feeling sorry for your sins. Decide to truly repent by making a U-turn away from sin and returning to a right relationship with God. Pray for His help to do so, and rely on His power to make necessary changes in your life for the better. Be humble and diligent in prayer throughout the transformation process to avoid falling back into old sin patterns.

* Make restitution whenever you can. If at all possible, do what needs to be done to right wrongs you’ve committed against other people. Don’t just offer apologies and ask for their forgiveness; try to pay them back for what they lost as a result of your actions. Be gracious and specifically ask those you have wronged what restitution they would like. Then follow up as best as you can.

* Revoke revenge. Instead of retaliating when someone wrongs you, trust God’s promise that He will avenge and ultimately bring justice to the situation. When the person who has wronged you is unwilling or unable to repent (such as if he or she is dead or mentally incapacitated), or unsafe to confront, you can: remember and mourn the sin, hold the offender responsible, and transfer the debts owed to you to God instead, knowing that He will hold the offender accountable.

* Get into right relationships before worshipping. Don’t just go through the motions of worship and religious acts without being in right relationships with God and other people. Understand that the way God receives your worship and prayers is directly related to how you live in your interpersonal relationships. Make sure you seek reconciliation and justice with others before approaching God in worship. Use the reconciliation steps mentioned in Matthew, chapter 18. Know that if you truly love God, you will also love other people.

* Become a peacemaker. Do all you can to prevent and resolve conflict. Regularly help people work through their relational issues for the sake of community peace. Help people who have left the church of the faith because of believers’ sins against them to find healing, and welcome them back. Try to love your enemies into repentance through your acts of kindness.