Let's take the extreme example of someone who kidnaps and sexually abuses, then murders children. If that man repents to God, but continues to murder children, is he really repentant? Or does he want his cake and eat it too? At the end of the day, neither of us are in a position to say what threshold God uses in qualifying repentance. I'm not even saying he won't go to Heaven. That's between him and God. But I'm not sure that's true repentance.

If a corrupt politician knowingly cheats in an election, lies every day to his constituents and accepts bribes to make nefarious decisions, decides to repent, but continues to retain power (and accept bribes, do evil stuff, etc), what has changed? I feel like some effort has to be made in order for it to be true repentance.

Back to the OP's original message, it's never too late. God will accept you regardless of the past, but you have to do your part going forward.

Psalm 97:10:

Let those who love the Lord hate evil, for he guards the lives of his faithful ones and delivers them from the hand of the wicked.

Let's take the extreme example of someone who kidnaps and sexually abuses, then murders children. If that man repents to God, but continues to murder children, is he really repentant? Or does he want his cake and eat it too? At the end of the day, neither of us are in a position to say what threshold God uses in qualifying repentance. I'm not even saying he won't go to Heaven. That's between him and God. But I'm not sure that's true repentance.

If a corrupt politician knowingly cheats in an election, lies every day to his constituents and accepts bribes to make nefarious decisions, decides to repent, but continues to retain power (and accept bribes, do evil stuff, etc), what has changed? I feel like some effort has to be made in order for it to be true repentance.