Forgiveness for the past, repentance for the future

For the things that have already happened, God grants forgiveness; for the things that are still to come, each person grants it to himself. And this is what it means to repent: to condemn what is past and to ask the Father for pardon of these things. He alone of all beings is able to make the things that have been done undone, wiping away former sins by the mercy that comes from Him and by the dew of the Spirit. "For in whatever I find you," He says, "in that I will also judge you," and at every turn He proclaims the end of all things. So even for the one who has done the greatest good deeds throughout his life, if at the end he has run aground on wickedness, all his former labors are useless, since he has become utterly wretched at the catastrophe of the drama. But for the one who has lived more carelessly and badly before, it is possible later, by repenting, to overcome a long time of wicked conduct by the time that follows repentance. Yet great precision is needed, just as bodies that have suffered from a long illness need a regimen and greater attention. You who steal, do you want to receive forgiveness? Steal no longer. You who have committed adultery, burn no longer. You who have fornicated, be pure from now on. You who have seized what belongs to others, give it back and give back more besides. You who have borne false witness, practice the truth. You who have sworn falsely, swear no more. And cut short the other passions as well—anger, desire, grief, fear—so that at your departure you may be found to have already settled with your adversary here. It is perhaps impossible to cut off at once passions that have grown up with us, but with the power of God and human supplication and the help of brothers and sisters and sincere repentance and constant practice, it is accomplished.