We perish because we are sinners.
..... unless we repent!!
As Jesus says: "No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. " Luke 13:3
what is repentance ?
As the prodigal son said: I have sinned against Heaven and you.
Thus repentance first and foremost has to deal with the wrongdoing and rebellion against God.
Otherwise we end up like Judas who felt bitterness and remorse for having betrayed Jesus.
But what does Judas do at the end of his life ? In his self-absorption, self-bitterness, self-centered repentance
without God, he hangs himself. Repentance must be based on the fundamental belief that God is good and I am not. God gives me the forgiveness I can never give to myself. Repentance out of fear of punishment is still selfish , is still tainted by sin. With Judas it ends in suicide.
