Is Repentance a Condition for Salvation?

[SteveEpperson]

Yes, because Jesus said...
...I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. (Luke 13: 5)

Thank you for that. So, if you and I were witnessing to someone, how would you explain repentance to them?

 

[A-Sword-Cometh]

So, does that mean the new believer never sins again in their life? That seems impossible.

What if we were so bold as to claim we never WANT to sin again. Is that possible?

Yes, it is possible. Go through it sin by sin then repenting of them. There is a sort of process to it I have identified, but don't like to get bogged down too much into doctrines. This is the basic process though; Acknowledgement, Confession, Repentance, Sanctification, Blessing.

Acknowledgement is the most important first step, there is a Twofold Acknowledgement in which there is great power. The Twofold Acknowledgement is this; 1. that your way is wrong and evil (personally you, society-wide you, impersonally you, all of it is all wrong and made by the Devil.) 2. that God has judged the you as an individual, as a society, as a humankind species dweller of the earth you and furthermore his judgment s always correct. Acknowledgement is internal, just repeating some empty words or doctrines means nothing, Acknowledgement is inside of you this is why it is the hardest step and the first step because inside yourself you have to realize good from evil and also understand God is real.

Confession is like acknowledgement but is external, when you can essentially make the acknowledgements aloud speaking them to other people, angels, animals, and God himself, heck into the wind even. it is all the same principle as the acknowledgement, just merely external.

Repentance as we already went over is to turn away from then. In the step-by-step one has acknowledged and realized the sin is a sin, they have acknowledged God exists and also did punish them reinforcing the sin is a sin and that God is supremely just, and the truth of his statutes and commandments. So now they have also come to being to confess this openly, so now they are ready for this step. At this step since they have already acknowledged the truth and confessed it then it is actually quite easy for them to turn away from it and just stop doing it.

Sanctification is a fancy term, but it's actually very basic. Essentially means to clean something. The principle is very simple, what was unclean before is washed, set apart, and becomes hallowed against that thing or sin. In the steps so the hypothetical person has acknowledged, confessed, and repented, they are almost done with the process, now they just wash it away.

Finally Blessing, the sin has been identified, neutralized, cleansed away, now God will bless.

 

[SteveEpperson]

Go through it sin by sin then repenting of them.

Awesome idea. Never thought of that, but it makes sense, especially at conversion. I hope I am correct on that.

Acknowledgement, Confession, Repentance, Sanctification, Blessing.

I am assuming these are in order. I have always thought it stopped at sanctification.

Acknowledgement is internal, just repeating some empty words or doctrines means nothing,

This is what I am trying to avoid when witnessing to others. The traditional "sinner's prayer" is fraught with empty words. It is my desire for the unsaved person to become a true believer, through the Holy Spirit and not just have them repeat something verbatim just to get rid of me.

onfession is like acknowledgement but is external, when you can essentially make the acknowledgements aloud speaking them to other people, angels, animals, and God himself, heck into the wind even. it is all the same principle as the acknowledgement, just merely external.

Out loud is the key, isn't it? I have never confessed to an animal, but I will try it. After all, they are God's creations. I think I better focus on confessing to other people, though. I would love it if the modern evangelical churches would adopt a similar model to the Catholic churches. Could you imagine how liberating it would be if we could walk into any church on a Thursday and confess our sins to whoever was in there?

So now they have also come to being to confess this openly, so now they are ready for this step. At this step since they have already acknowledged the truth and confessed it then it is actually quite easy for them to turn away from it and just stop doing it.

I've never thought it was easy to just simply quit sinning. However, my confessions may be falling flat, so I will take a closer look at them.

Sanctification is a fancy term, but it's actually very basic. Essentially means to clean something. The principle is very simple, what was unclean before is washed, set apart, and becomes hallowed against that thing or sin. In the steps so the hypothetical person has acknowledged, confessed, and repented, they are almost done with the process, now they just wash it away.

Okay, so now I am stumped. How do I simply wash it away? Isn't God the only one who can do that? However, I think part of the process is to forgive myself? Am I right to assume that, or is there something else?

Finally Blessing, the sin has been identified, neutralized, cleansed away, now God will bless.

At this point, should I ask for this? I often beg for mercy and grace, but is it okay to ask for a blessing, here? Sometimes, I feel really bad, even though I have confessed and asked for forgiveness.

Anyway, you have shown great kindness to me through this instruction. I will work diligently on this for myself before sharing it with others. Thanks to God for His disciples like you who have a desire to help others make more disciples. Blessings.

 

[A-Sword-Cometh]

Awesome idea. Never thought of that, but it makes sense, especially at conversion. I hope I am correct on that.



I am assuming these are in order. I have always thought it stopped at sanctification.



This is what I am trying to avoid when witnessing to others. The traditional "sinner's prayer" is fraught with empty words. It is my desire for the unsaved person to become a true believer, through the Holy Spirit and not just have them repeat something verbatim just to get rid of me.



Out loud is the key, isn't it? I have never confessed to an animal, but I will try it. After all, they are God's creations. I think I better focus on confessing to other people, though. I would love it if the modern evangelical churches would adopt a similar model to the Catholic churches. Could you imagine how liberating it would be if we could walk into any church on a Thursday and confess our sins to whoever was in there?



I've never thought it was easy to just simply quit sinning. However, my confessions may be falling flat, so I will take a closer look at them.



Okay, so now I am stumped. How do I simply wash it away? Isn't God the only one who can do that? However, I think part of the process is to forgive myself? Am I right to assume that, or is there something else?



At this point, should I ask for this? I often beg for mercy and grace, but is it okay to ask for a blessing, here? Sometimes, I feel really bad, even though I have confessed and asked for forgiveness.

Anyway, you have shown great kindness to me through this instruction. I will work diligently on this for myself before sharing it with others. Thanks to God for His disciples like you who have a desire to help others make more disciples. Blessings.

Say you have a sin you are trying to overcome and you are not overcoming it. Go back to the start of the process, go back to Acknowledgement first. Acknowledgement is very overlooked. Lol they do tend to think they have erred at the confession part, but no, it is the acknowledgement part that is the most important and the very first step (indeed they are in order) since it is in your (or me, or whoever, any person) heart. The nice thing actually about this step is it is totally internal, you need not tell me nor anyone even anything in this step. The acknowledgement is twofold remember, this important, many people will just acknowledge the sin is wrong and evil trying to be humble or whatever, but neglect to acknowledge that God judged and he judged severely, the penalty for these is severe and God's judgement is correct.

This ties then into Sanctification. The penalties in the Law show Sanctification how it was done in its external and outward shows of it, cleansing by water, fire, and blood is how all things are sanctified. Differing sins are cleaned differing ways, all sin is sin, but not all sins are cleansed by death of the sinner for instance (though let's not forget indeed some are!), some were cleansed by water, some by the offering of sacrifices, some by fire . Of course because of Jesus and the crucifixion and the resurrection you need no longer cleanse your sins with animal sacrifices or being stoned to death, though it is good to Acknowledge you deserve to be, but Jesus is now the sacrifice offered in this, it is more internal and goes back into the process transforming one from the inside outwards rather than the old way of from the outside going in.

 

[SteveEpperson]

Thank you again to A-Sword-Cometh. I will meditate on these concepts to move forward in my walk with King Jesus and hopefully become more effective at witnessing to others.

 

[Amanuensis]

Thank you for that. So, if you and I were witnessing to someone, how would you explain repentance to them?

Being sorry and ashamed of their sins. And deciding to turn away from their wicked ways and follow Jesus Christ.

Yes, some people are going to be more ashamed than others at the initial stage of revelation but all must acknowledge that they are indeed sinners and need to be saved from the wrath of judgment for sin that is coming. Sometimes you have to take time to bring people to that understanding, others are already there.

So depending on who I am talking to I am going to explain all about the need for the cross, and how it applies to them and their own sins. I will talk to them to see if they even think they need forgiveness and I will explain the Cross and the Resurrection and the promise of forgiveness and eternal life, and being born again, the Father, and Son living on the inside by the Holy Spirit once they repent of their sin, decide to turn from them and follow Jesus by faith.

I will always make the decision to turn from their sins and follow Jesus the definition of true saving faith in Christ and that mental assent that Jesus really happened is not enough. Repentance of sins must be part of the decision.

I will always make sure they know that they can be saved right now without needing to first go a certain number of days without sinning with those particular wicked habits they are aware of that they know they can't do any longer, that a track record of abstinence is not required for salvation that God is offering them today if they will repent and believe; but I will also make sure that they understand that now that they are saved, they are not to go forth and wallow around in the mud again. They are cleansed, don't go back to those things they were just washed from by the Blood of Jesus. That is repentance.

 

[Beckie]

Yes, repentance is a condition for salvation since repentance isn't only saying you're sorry but is turning your heart away from known sin which is a requisite for salvation.

Are we saved by His Grace or our repentance

 

[pottersclay]

I truly dont believe anyone can lead a person to repentance.
But we can introduce them to jesus and let the Holy Spirit take it from there.
Jesus made us fishers of men but he always cleaned them. Thats the power of the gospel.

Ask the lord to prepare the hearts and way. A harvest always starts with a seed planted.

 

[Amanuensis]

Are we saved by His Grace or our repentance

It is Grace that made the way of salvation a possibility. An undeserved offer of salvation. Grace. When you were without hope, hope was offered. Grace to forgive you of sins that you deserve wrath for. Salvation Grace cannot be comprehended without the concept of repentance of sins as part of the reason for the Grace.

 

[Pilgrimshope]

Okay, so if someone we were witnessing to asks what repentance means, what would you say? I have a funny feeling you are going to respond, "It means to turn away from your sins."

Okay, so going a step further, what does "turning from your sins" look like? What sort of attitude are we to take? Are there any actions to take? What sort of mindset are we to have.

when you talk about repentance you need to add “repent and believe the gospel “ we’re changing our minds by allowing the knowledge of Jesus our lord into our mind and heart.the effect of this changes the thinking of the person

when you come to repentance you need to start forgetting what’s in the mknd and heart and learning what’s meant to be there hearing and believing the gospel changes what we think and know and believe this changes who we are inwardly

“For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.”
‭‭Philippians‬ ‭2:13‬ ‭KJV‬‬

what actually brings repentance is when we share the truth with people and they accept it

“in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; and that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.”
‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭2:25-26‬ ‭KJV‬‬

the truth we need to acknowledge is the word of Christ the gospel

“Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.”
‭‭John‬ ‭18:37‬ ‭KJV‬‬

when we start accepting Jesus teachings it’s going to actually cause repentance I. Our mind and heart and then our Life if we continue in belief.

it’s hard if we believe in Jesus and hear this to keep going against it

“Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful. Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven: give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭6:36-38‬ ‭KJV‬‬

to spend time abiding in his words and teachings imprints it on our heart because we are believers in him his words have wieght in our mind and heart as we continue in belief his teachings change how we think and act this is how repentance works as we learn and believe the gospel the old things we knew and lived in fall away with the new understanding as we embrace the gospel it fills the voids in us and doesn’t leave lust , pride , greed , grudge bearing unforgiveness ect in us so we’re not going to keep sinning according to lust or greed or pride ect

to get the message of repentance across share the teachings of Jesus Christ in the gospel it’s going to teach believers what hey need to know about repentance how to view it like Jesus taught like a wayward son who did it all wrong but now he comes to his senses and realizes he’s been wrong he remembers his death hers love and turns and heads towards home

repentance is about Gods love for his children who’ve went astray and he’s waiting after calling us all home

repentance is to change what you’ve always known over to the gospel and live after that way

 

[Beckie]

It is Grace that made the way of salvation a possibility. An undeserved offer of salvation. Grace. When you were without hope, hope was offered. Grace to forgive you of sins that you deserve wrath for. Salvation Grace cannot be comprehended without the concept of repentance of sins as part of the reason for the Grace.

nicely said

 

[Everlasting-Grace]

Is repentance a condition for salvation?


If so, what does repentance look like in relation to being saved?


Comments backed by scripture are always appreciated. Thanks.

If one does not repent. They have not come to faith. They still are a non believer.

so while it is not a condition required per say . If it does not happen. One will never be saved.

 

[Everlasting-Grace]

Thank you all for the great responses. So, all of us can agree that true repentance is a condition for salvation. However, how would you explain repentance to an unsaved person who is unfamiliar with the bible?

I am not sure you really need to explain a word.

You can get them to change there view as for who and what they are. and show them their need for a savior..

 

[Amanuensis]

I am not sure you really need to explain a word.

You can get them to change there view as for who and what they are. and show them their need for a savior..

Give them your testimony.

My testimony always includes my shame at being a bad person. How I realized I needed to change. How I asked God for help. How I learned about Jesus, the cross, the offer of forgiveness.

But I always start my story about how I first discovered I was a bad person.

I was 18 and in jail and I was facing a sentence of 5 to 99. Inmates were telling me I would probably get about 30 years. I was terrified at what was about to come upon me. As I contemplated all of these things over a period of weeks I remember having a "revelation" that I had done something so bad that society considered me a bad enough person to lock up for 30 years or more. This was shocking to my identity of myself. I always thought I was a good person. Now suddenly I was facing the reality that I was a bad person and I started to be ashamed of what I had done and what I had become. I started to be ashamed of many things. Things I had never felt shame for before.

I won't go through all the details right now, but that was the beginning of me praying and asking God to change me and to help me get a bible in jail so that I could read about what it means to live for God and to change who I was.

I think that is a good way to help people to start thinking about their own need for repentance. When they hear my story and the details they begin to see themselves and their own sins that they have probably never been ashamed of, and the Holy Spirit can start working on them. It is a process of revelation.

 

[Pilgrimshope]

To understand repentance from Christs view we need to hear the gospel

“And he said, A certain man had two sons: and the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living. And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living. And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want. And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him. And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, and am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants. And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: and bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: for this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭15:11-24‬ ‭

if I say to another “ repent repent or you will perish !” You’ll go to hell if you don’t repent , Christ won’t have you unless your sinless repent repent or die !”

that doesn’t really speak repentance like Christ does he says it’s like a sin who chose wrong , did wrong , lost the inheritance to sinful living and then one day he realized what was happening why he was so low .

it was his own Choice to leave and live by his own rules his father gave his inheritance early and he blew it was lost without hope. But then in his sorrow a moment of clarity strikes him “ my father I will return to him to his house and plead to be a hired servant so I don’t perish eating slop “

what the man doesn’t realize is his father is eagerly waiting and watching for him to turn towards home watching for him to be headed towards the Hope of his fathers mercy.

Before he makes it home though his father in his wisdom and aged reservation breaks into a run when he sees him , kisses and hugs him . As the son is busy trying to reconcile and make right his wrongs , the father is busy hugging and embracing and kissing , clothing his son with robes and putting the family ring back on his hand

the man came to repentance realizing his son failures and poor choices , he reached a pitiful sorrowful state looking at himself but it sent him home . When he got there his father was just overjoyed that he was come home where he could be loved and kept safe

repentance is viewed the wrong way early on in a sinners life. We convince ourselves “ it’s just normal and human to live in sin everyone does it “ but if we live much in sin as a Christian we’re going to find our inheritance with the father being wasted away in other places on the Will of the devil the prostitutes and wild living he went through

one day as a believer we need to really take stock of what Jesus did for us and why d how we are living in response to that. As bekievers we ultimately as we grow up come to this question asked in many ways in the gospel but here very clearly

“And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭6:46‬ ‭

to acknowledge his point in this question calls us to repentance that challenge by the lord of allowed to work in us can provoke change in though , belief and posture regarding sin this kind of belief is what Spurs repentance

to Know that it’s not a condemnation to say “ye must repent or you will perish “ it’s a warning from love because he wants us to live and not perish.

repentance is a father who loves us waiting for us to return to that place where he dwells innocence and peace , righteousness and truth. Where we don’t have to hide like Adam from his word , or like the Israelites

“And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden. And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou? And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.”
‭‭Genesis‬ ‭3:8-10‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“Now therefore why should we die? for this great fire will consume us: if we hear the voice of the LORD our God any more, then we shall die.”
‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭5:25‬ ‭KJV‬‬

we now can hear this word instead and draw near to god and live

“It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.”
‭‭John‬ ‭6:45‬ ‭

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.”
‭‭John‬ ‭5:24‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.”
‭‭John‬ ‭6:63‬ ‭KJV‬‬

we can do this now Instead of hiding and not hearing his word anymore

“Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him.”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭15:1‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God. By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament. but this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.”
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭7:19, 22, 24-25‬ ‭

we repent more because we hear more about repentance according to Christ

“Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him. And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.

What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.

I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭15:1-2, 4-7‬ ‭KJV‬‬

repentance is a great thing a good thing but if we use it to condemn others or try to say they don’t belong to Christ we’re getting out of our own lane. It’s a lifetime of discovering and repenting repentance is an attitude a decision we make

“Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey,

his servants ye are to whom ye obey;

whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?

But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.

I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity;

even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.

For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness. What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death.

But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭6:16-22‬ ‭

we need to change our own understanding of our role in salvation we’re not just floating on a raft or log we have oars and a canoe to steer and choose which direction to go repentance is to move from this place

as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity;

to this place

even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.

instead of “ everyone sins so it’s ok “ we need “ I used to be a sinner but now I belong to the lord attitude about life and our choices repentance comes from a right faith a right belief

“What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.”
‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭6:19-20‬ ‭KJV‬‬

that kind of truth makes us change if we accept it for what it is it causes us to repent as our faith grows and matures but only if we make the decision to repent

 

[LoveBrokeThru]

Is repentance a condition for salvation?

The "repentance" that is required for Salvation to be imparted is to repent of UNBELIEF.
To turn from Unbelief to FAITH IN CHRIST.
See that?
That's REAL Repentance that God accepts., as when you've done that, you have given God your faith in Christ and God then applies the blood atonement to you, as : "the Gift of Righteousness" & "The Gift of Salvation".

 

[Beckie]

No, actually I do. My motivation for asking these questions is to help prepare me to witness to more people. Truth is, I am scared to death of it, and would like to draw insight from real people on this site. The canned presentations from the myriad of books and websites fall flat.

I am assuming that regular posters who are mature followers witness to people regularly. I need their instruction. If I have offended you, I am sorry.

AS we witness some times our witness is a lived not so much spoken. Often one plants a seed another waters .....

1Co 3:6 I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.
1Co 3:7 So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.
1Co 3:8 Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.
1Co 3:9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.

Often a ones personal testimony is a great witness.

 

[Edify]

My motivation for asking these questions is to help prepare me to witness to more people. Truth is, I am scared to death of it

Ask God for boldness & strength. He will give you your heart's desire when you desire to please Him.

 

[Amanuensis]

The "repentance" that is required for Salvation to be imparted is to repent of UNBELIEF.
To turn from Unbelief to FAITH IN CHRIST.
See that?
That's REAL Repentance that God accepts., as when you've done that, you have given God your faith in Christ and God then applies the blood atonement to you, as : "the Gift of Righteousness" & "The Gift of Salvation".

Yes, I think unbelief is very much the first sin one repents of. Good word.