Note 3 at Lk. 15:18: This is a good example of true repentance (see note 1 at Mt. 3:2, p. 30). This son did not claim any goodness of his own or try to justify his actions, but he humbled himself and appealed to the mercy of his father (cp. with Lk. 18:9-14). Likewise, we cannot approach God in self- righteousness, but we have to humble ourselves, put all of our faith in a Savior, and turn from our wicked ways (2 Chr. 7:14). That is true repentance.