Repentance without faith is nothing more than remorse or regret; faith without repentance makes Christ nothing more than a fire escape. There must be a work of repentance and faith upon the sinner's heart before salvation can become a reality. Repentance is caused by the working of the Holy Spirit who takes the Sword of the Spirit and slays the sinner's self-righteousness, self- goodness, self-decency, self-esteem and causes him to cry out: "God be merciful to me a sinner"(Lk.18:13) and "what must I do to be saved?"(Acts 16:30). 

Serious Questions To Consider 

Is the preaching of repentance important? 

Jesus thought so enough that He preached it. John the Baptist preached it (Matt.3:1-2). The apostles were commanded to preach it: "And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem."(Luke 24:47) 

Who is commanded to repent? 

"And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now com-mandeth all men every where to repent:"(Acts 17:30). The good, the bad, the rich, the poor, the old, the young, the educated, the uneducated -- every man must repent because we are all sinners. Notice it is God's command that is to be obeyed now. 

What happens if you don't repent? 

"I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish."(Luke 13:3,5) The worst thing in the world for any person is to perish in their sins without Christ as their Saviour and spend an eternity in the lake of fire, to be tormented and suffer forever and ever. 

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved."(John 3:16-17) 

Turn from your self and sin and turn to the Lord Jesus Christ to save your soul -- that is the sinner's only hope 

Source: http://www.baptistpillar.com/article_536.html