Repentance and belief go hand in hand when salvation is proclaimed in the New Testament and they form the core component for Christian faith. Repentance is evidence of belief. Yet many people today that identify as Christians see no need for turning from one’s sins in order to follow Jesus. This perspective is contrary to scripture.
Some simplistically claim that while being saved guarantees passage to heaven, it doesn’t guarantee you’ll behave before you get there. They even go so far as to assert that becoming an apostate will not affect salvation. In one particular instance, the person declares, “In order to go to heaven there is no requirement to turn from sin, or to persevere in faith, no need for good works, a person simply believes in Jesus for eternal life and receives it instantly.”
He goes on to say, “All that believe are justified, instantly.” He uses passages of scripture such as John 3:36, which states, ”Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them.” And Romans 4:5, “However, the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited to them as righteousness.” While these statements are true, they must be considered within the context of the greater narrative.
By implying that sinners can continue living in rebellion to God while claiming allegiance to God is not only counterintuitive, it is deception that stems from the father of lies. Satan believes in God yet he is not saved. James 2:19 states, “You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that – and shudder.”
This subtle slight of hand with scripture fails to encapsulate the full counsel of God’s Word and the fullness of God’s nature. One cannot walk on the broad road that leads to destruction and the narrow road that leads to life at the same time. The two paths are going in opposite directions! Jesus said “I am the gate; whoever enters through Me will be saved.” (John 10:9a).
TRUST, RESILIENCE AND COMMITMENT
Paul teaches in Ephesians 2:8-9, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.” However, in order to comprehend the meaning of faith, one must recognize that having faith implies faithfulness. The Greek word πίστεως (pisteos) is used in this passage and literally means trust, reliance and commitment.
This is not simply intellectual assent, but implies a much deeper and richer relationship. It encompasses reverence, love and obedience. Jesus said, “If you love Me, you will keep My commands.” (John 14:15). The Greek word for repentance in the New Testament is metanoia (μετάνοια), and the verb form is metanoeo (μετανοέω), and they mean “change of mind.” Metanoia involves a profound transformation of one’s core beliefs including a change of direction and purpose.
The logic used by those who promote that repentance only applies to a change from nonbelief to belief through the changing of one’s mindset is superficial theology. Once again, the person I quoted above adds, “For a person to believe in Christ for eternal life simply means to be fully persuaded that they have eternal life, (by faith alone). The reason they look to their works to be persuaded in most cases is simply because they have not believed, (they are not yet saved).” This perspective conveniently ignores much of scripture.
In Romans 12:2, Paul writes, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – His good, pleasing and perfect will.” Since all sin begins in the mind (James 1:14-15), that’s where transformation begins, however it doesn’t end there.
Ephesians 2:1-2 teaches, “As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.” One must not single out Ephesians 2:8-9 without the context of the entire chapter. Paul highlights that disobedience means following the ways of Satan and cannot conform to faith in Christ. Jesus said, “No one can serve two masters.” (Matthew 6:24a).
The same Paul who wrote Ephesians, also declares in Acts:26:20, “First to those in Damascus, then to those in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and then to the Gentiles, I preached that they should repent and turn to God and demonstrate their repentance by their deeds.” Similarly, James proclaims that faith without deeds is dead (James 2:14-26). Unless faith is accompanied by love and servitude, it is lifeless and cannot be considered authentic.
A GOSPEL OF REPENTANCE
Jesus preached a gospel of repentance (Matthew 4:17). In the first chapter of Mark’s narrative, we are told, “After John was put into prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. ‘The time has come,’ He said. ‘The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!’”
Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 7:10 that, “Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.” Belief and repentance, while having different meanings are intertwined and often indistinguishable in determining faith. Paul is writing to the church and his message applies to all believers.
Christ died for us while we were still sinners (Romans 5:8). His atonement is for everyone, yet not everyone will benefit. When Jesus said, “It is finished.” (John 19:30), he completely and effectually paid for every sin of the world without any human input. Therefore, everyone is forgiven but not all will be saved. Scripture says, “For many are called but few are chosen.” (Matthew 22:14).
The Bible calls us to persevere in our faith. This is a lifelong commitment to serving Christ and imitating Jesus in our daily conduct. Jesus said that we will experience hardship because of our faith, “but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.” (Matthew 24:13). Furthermore, James 1:12 teaches, “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love Him.”
When we examine the letters to the seven churches in Revelation 2-3, it quickly becomes apparent that there is a behavioral expectation attached to faith. For the church at Ephesus, despite hard work and perseverance, the Lord chastises them for forsaking the love they had at first. “Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.” (Revelation2:5).
To the church at Pergamum, even though they did not renounce their faith, they are warned to repent over some among them who continue to sin (Revelation 2:13-16). And the church at Thyatira is similarly cautioned to repent of immorality, “Then all the churches will know that I am He who searches hearts and minds, and I will repay each person according to your deeds.” (Revelation 2:20-23). Repentance applies to all believers.
As for the church in Sardis, their deeds do not go unnoticed and are “unfinished” in the eyes of God (Revelation 3:1-3). Again, God is acquainted with the deeds of the church in Philadelphia and their perseverance in faith (Revelation 3:8-10). And finally, the church in Laodicea is threatened with being cast out because they are lukewarm. They are urged to repent. Those who God loves He rebukes and disciplines (Revelation 3:15-19).
SALVATION IS MORE THAN GETTING TO HEAVEN
Salvation is more than getting to heaven and being saved from eternal condemnation is only part of the concept. Being saved from the power of sin, being saved from the tendency to sin and being saved from the punishment of sin are dovetailed together when we earnestly repent.
Sincere repentance encompasses deep remorse for our sins that pierces our hearts to the point of unreservedly clutching the cloak of Christ with both hands and committing to never letting go. The Bible says that the Lord is close to the broken hearted (Psalm 34:18) and Psalm 51:17 declares, “My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, God, will not despise.” We are called to love God with all of our hearts (Matthew 22:37).
Joel 2:12-13 reads, “’Even now,’ declares the Lord, ‘return to Me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.’ Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God, for He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and He relents from sending calamity.” Sincere repentance augments our production of fruit for God and our sanctification as children of God.
This is part of our progression to becoming holy as God is holy. In 1 Peter 1:13-16. the apostle teaches us, “Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Christ Jesus is revealed at His coming. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy.’”
There is a marked distinction between our life before we believed and after. This is often referred to as regeneration or being born again. Prior to our conversion to Christ our behavior bore witness to our separation from God and after being saved our behavior should reflect separation from the world and our status as children of God. In 2 Corinthians 5:17, Paul states, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come. The old has gone, and the new is here!” If there is no new creation you are simply not in Christ. Repentance authenticates faith.
When our hearts break for the same things that break God’s heart, we will despise our own sin and seek to align ourselves with the will of God. Sin separates mankind from God and is an obstacle to having intimate fellowship with God. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John1:9). John is writing to believers therefore repentance is portrayed as an ongoing component of their faith. Repentance and belief are inseparable for authentic faith in Christ. One cannot have one without the other.
