Please read this and share your perspective. Thank you.
Repentance and faith and closely linked and are the same exact things.
In 2 Peter 3:9, the word repentance is defined as a change of mind, a change of the inner man (G3341. metanoia.) It is a complete change of heart from thinking one way to thinking a different way. This is how the word repentance is defined through the New Testament.
So how is repentance and faith the same? In faith, we are also changing our mind from unbelief in Christ to belief.
We can tell that repentance is not sinless perfection because sinless perfection is not achievable. For example, people still sin after repentance including people like Peter (Matthew 26:69-75) and Paul (Romans 7:15-20.)
If repentance is sinless perfection then absolutely no one has ever repented due to the sins they continue to commit throughout the course of the remainder of their life.
If you sin after "repentance" then that isn't repentance. You will be repenting for the rest of your life. Repentance is a one time thing. Even I am understanding this slowly since the Bible doesn't tell people to repent more than once.
God has spoken and said "there is none good, but God" (Matthew 10:18.) And that "the righteousness of man is a filthy rag" (Isaiah 64:6)
So what makes us think that any of our vain striving to earn Gods good graces comes from our so-called repentance and efforts to do good?
This is not a reason to not do good, but doing good doesn't mean repentance. If striving to be sinless was what gave salvation then Christ died in vain. (Galatians 2:21.)
In the narrative of John 8:24, Jesus said:
24I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.
No mention of repentance specifically because believing in Christ is repentance. Faith in Christ is exactly what repentance is, a change of mind, heart, and the inner man. We come to agree with God.
We access the grace of God through faith in Christ alone:
Romans 5:1-2
1Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 2By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
And we are saved by grace through faith:
Ephesians 2:8-9
8For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Nothing more, nothing less. God takes care of the rest such as making us born again, forgiveness of sins, and progressive sanctification through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Hebrews 10:14
14For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.
Repentance and faith and closely linked and are the same exact things.
In 2 Peter 3:9, the word repentance is defined as a change of mind, a change of the inner man (G3341. metanoia.) It is a complete change of heart from thinking one way to thinking a different way. This is how the word repentance is defined through the New Testament.
So how is repentance and faith the same? In faith, we are also changing our mind from unbelief in Christ to belief.
We can tell that repentance is not sinless perfection because sinless perfection is not achievable. For example, people still sin after repentance including people like Peter (Matthew 26:69-75) and Paul (Romans 7:15-20.)
If repentance is sinless perfection then absolutely no one has ever repented due to the sins they continue to commit throughout the course of the remainder of their life.
If you sin after "repentance" then that isn't repentance. You will be repenting for the rest of your life. Repentance is a one time thing. Even I am understanding this slowly since the Bible doesn't tell people to repent more than once.
God has spoken and said "there is none good, but God" (Matthew 10:18.) And that "the righteousness of man is a filthy rag" (Isaiah 64:6)
So what makes us think that any of our vain striving to earn Gods good graces comes from our so-called repentance and efforts to do good?
This is not a reason to not do good, but doing good doesn't mean repentance. If striving to be sinless was what gave salvation then Christ died in vain. (Galatians 2:21.)
In the narrative of John 8:24, Jesus said:
24I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.
No mention of repentance specifically because believing in Christ is repentance. Faith in Christ is exactly what repentance is, a change of mind, heart, and the inner man. We come to agree with God.
We access the grace of God through faith in Christ alone:
Romans 5:1-2
1Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 2By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
And we are saved by grace through faith:
Ephesians 2:8-9
8For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Nothing more, nothing less. God takes care of the rest such as making us born again, forgiveness of sins, and progressive sanctification through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Hebrews 10:14
14For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.
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