Well, here is what I see:
Though Jesus died on the cross for the sins of the world, none are pardoned by it - except for those who first come to repentance and accept Him as Lord and Savior of one's life. It's true that spiritual improvements will continue on after one gets converted to Christ - in fact - throughout one's life - and God's Spirit is very important in that - but also our willing compliance to His will. It's true there are many people who think they're righteous - but are not truly repentant. It's impossible to be sufficiently righteous to satisfy God - through any goodness done aside from reliance upon God, and having received Him as Lord and Savior of one's life. I know there are many true Christians who teach differently on this subject - but I see their way of teaching as not being quite doctrinally correct - though sincerely held.
The Lord's prayer shows the need to repent of sin in daily life, too. It is a model prayer Jesus stated - to show the basic things we should include in our daily prayers.
Matt 6:9-15
9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:
15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
KJV
And here's a passage showing the necessity of repentance in order to receive the gift of salvation:
2 Peter 3:9
9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
KJV
And see below, another passage about the necessity for repentance in order to get converted to Christ:
Matt 3:8-10
8 Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:
9 And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.
10 And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
KJV
And below is a passage that urges believers to remain diligent in obedience towards God:
2 Peter 1:4-10
4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;
6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;
7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
9 But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.
10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:
KJV
Though Jesus died on the cross for the sins of the world, none are pardoned by it - except for those who first come to repentance and accept Him as Lord and Savior of one's life. It's true that spiritual improvements will continue on after one gets converted to Christ - in fact - throughout one's life - and God's Spirit is very important in that - but also our willing compliance to His will. It's true there are many people who think they're righteous - but are not truly repentant. It's impossible to be sufficiently righteous to satisfy God - through any goodness done aside from reliance upon God, and having received Him as Lord and Savior of one's life. I know there are many true Christians who teach differently on this subject - but I see their way of teaching as not being quite doctrinally correct - though sincerely held.
The Lord's prayer shows the need to repent of sin in daily life, too. It is a model prayer Jesus stated - to show the basic things we should include in our daily prayers.
Matt 6:9-15
9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:
15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
KJV
And here's a passage showing the necessity of repentance in order to receive the gift of salvation:
2 Peter 3:9
9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
KJV
And see below, another passage about the necessity for repentance in order to get converted to Christ:
Matt 3:8-10
8 Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:
9 And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.
10 And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
KJV
And below is a passage that urges believers to remain diligent in obedience towards God:
2 Peter 1:4-10
4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;
6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;
7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
9 But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.
10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:
KJV
