Repent is not a one and done deal. It's a spiritual struggle for a lifetime known as the sanctification process, it's like the angel and the devil on your shoulders pulling you toward opposite directions, and Paul talked about that in Galatians using Isaac and Ishmael to illustrate this struggle between the spirit and the flesh. In Jesus's words, this is the unclean spirit coming back to reclaim his old house, and oftentimes he returns with more unclean spirits. This is one aspect in Christianity that I don't feel related to very much, that how could Christians rejoice over all situations under all circumstances while suffering from this "withdrawal symptom"? You know, especially when I'm stressed and weary, in my weakest moment, that's when I face the strongest temptation of backsliding.
If you knew the full salvation that Lord Jesus offers, you would be well able to endure the temptations that we all face. For years I struggled, always seeking some kind of breakthrough, never finding one. I could not even say what a breakthrough would be.
One evening, a friend spoke to me about an aspect of salvation that I had not seen. I'd read about it and I knew what the Bible said, but I could not grasp it. Fundamentally. God has done it all perfectly for us in Christ. We really are new creations. We really do die with Christ and we really are raised together with Him. Galatians 2:20 is the truth. So is Colossians 3:3, another incredibly powerful declaration. What to we have to do to attain to this? Nothing. God does it all. When we receive Christ, all is provided. We do not realise it at the time.
Yes, there is an inner struggle, the old against the new. At first, we have little knowledge so we have to who we are in Christ. We need to know God's promises and learn to trust in His faithfulness. Our minds are programmed virtually from birth to go the world's ways. Our minds must be renewed. That is the process. You call it progressive sanctification, a Baptist term. The Bible calls it the salvation of the soul. The spirit man is new and complete in Christ. (Colossians 2:10). The soul realm (mind, emotion and will) need to be transformed. That is the work of a lifetime.
An example. About 18 months ago, I suffered a severe illness. It was pancreatitis. According to the medical profession, only childbirth is more painful. I salute the women who've endured childbirth. I was in hospital for 8 days. I could hardly pray. For the first day, I was yelling out loud, "Lord have mercy". Yet the whole time, I was at peace. I had one visitor on some days as COVID was in full swing. While the doctor was there, my friend prayed for me. The doctor, an unbeliever, told me that the prayer was answered before her eyes. I began to recover the moment my friend prayed. I was prepped for an operation and I did not eat or drink for 5 days. They eventually cancelled the operation.
For the whole time, I was at peace. I was able to witness to a couple of people, including the doctor. I found some Christian music on youtube. I was so out of it that I could not remember how to turn the volume down on my phone. The whole ward heard it! Some of the nurses were Christians and much encouraged as a result.
The worst passed in a couple of days. Meds helped of course. But I went home relieved and rejoicing.
I claim no credit for this. Like Paul, I found that God's grace was sufficient. And God's grace is just as sufficient for you.