Luke 3:8 - Repentance

Prove by the way you live that you have really turned from your sins and
turned to God. Don't just say, 'We're safe--we're the descendants of
Abraham.' That proves nothing. God can change these stones here into
children of Abraham. Luke 3:8 (NLT)

Do not trust in your religious ancestry, however good it may be; you must
personally have a right relation with God. [Ryrie SB]

Many of John's hearers were shocked when he said that being Abraham's
descendants was not enough for God. The religious leaders relied more on
their family lines than on their faith for their standing with God. For
them, religion was inherited. But a personal relationship with God is not
handed down from parents to children. Everyone has to commit to it on his or
her own. Don't rely on someone else's faith for your salvation. Put your own
faith in Jesus, and then exercise it every day. [Life Application SB]

Repentance opens the way for relationship with God. Repentance has two
sides-turning away from sins and turning toward God. To be truly repentant,
we must do both. We can't just say that we believe and then live any way we
choose; neither can we simply live a morally correct life without a personal
relationship with God, because that cannot bring forgiveness from sin.
Determine to rid your life of any sins God points out, and put your trust in
him alone to guide you. [Life Application SB]

Faith naturally leads to action. Confession of sins and a changed life are
inseparable. Faith without deeds is dead (James 2:14-26). . . . Repentance
must be tied to action, or it isn't real. Following Jesus means more than
saying the right words; it means acting on what he says. [Life Application
SB]

Repentance needs to be an ongoing daily experience:

Many have taken the position that they cannot sin because they are
sanctified, but this is a delusive snare of the evil one. There is constant
danger of falling into sin, for Christ has warned us to watch and pray lest
we enter into temptation. If we are conscious of the weakness of self, we
shall not be self-confident and reckless of danger; but we shall feel the
necessity of seeking to the Source of our strength, Jesus our righteousness.
We shall come in repentance and contrition, with a despairing sense of our
own finite weakness, and learn that we must daily apply to the merits of the
blood of Christ, that we may become vessels fit for the Master's use.
ST05-19-90

He who is truly penitent does not forget his past sins, and grow careless
about them as soon as he has obtained forgiveness. On the contrary, the
clearer the evidence he has of divine favor, the more he sees to regret in
his past life of sin. He loathes, abhors, and condemns himself, and is more
and more astonished  that he should have continued in rebellion so long. He
renews his repentance toward God, while he grasps more decidedly the hand of
Jesus Christ, and finds that repentance is a daily, continued exercise,
lasting until mortality is swallowed up of life. He who thus repents,
appreciates the righteousness of Christ as above silver and gold, above
every earthly tie and affection. ST11-26-94