Tag Archives: repentance and salvation

Is “repentance” a crucial element of salvation?

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Is “repentance” with faith a crucial element of salvation? (Luke 13:3)

Discussion,

Yes, the expression of one’s sincere sorrow for a life lived in sin is essential as an element of salvation along with faith in Jesus as Messiah but I say this with an often times misunderstood caveat.

One expresses their sorrow for a sinful life and a sincere desire to repent at Salvation but true repentance is not possible until the Holy Spirit takes up residence within the believer as Guarantor of New Covenant relationship (Ephesians 1:13-14) and the believer begins their daily walk in Christian sanctification where the Spirit combines the “new creation” in Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:17) with the enlivened spiritual law written upon the heart (Hebrews 10:16); it is at this juncture that obedience/repentance is realized through the production of divine fruit (Galatians 5:22-23) in the daily life of those who belong to Jesus by faith (Galatians 5:16-23; John 15:8).

Jesus commands repentance as does the Holy Spirit,

Yes, Jesus has told us that unless one repents they will in no way enter the Kingdom of Elohim (Luke 13:3) and sincere sorrow for a life of sin expressed as part of the salvation confession is essential in combination with sincere faith-belief that Jesus is Messiah but the realization of true repentance, actuated repentance, does NOT manifest until subsequent salvation as this true repentance is only possible by obedience to the indwelling Holy Spirit who is Guarantor of New Covenant relationship with the Father established by faith in Jesus as Messiah (Ephesians 1:13-14).

Repentance does NOT suggest a works salvation,

It is not necessary nor is it possible that one “change their life” first in order to receive the promise of salvation by faith but it is necessary that one express true sorrow for a life lived in disobedience while simultaneously possessing a heart that desires divine “change” in combination with faith, faith that Jesus is Messiah who died for our sin and it is the Holy Spirit who takes the sincere desire for “change” and makes that change a reality through His divine work in daily sanctification via the production of divine fruit; Jesus said, “You will know them by their fruit” (Matthew 7:15-20).

Therefore, you cannot sufficiently clean-purify yourself by good works in order to make yourself righteous before Elohim (Galatians 2:16; Romans 3:21), only the Holy Spirit changes the human heart and the Spirit only works sanctification in the life of the one who expresses sincere faith in Jesus as Messiah. You are “made righteous” through the “imputation” or gifting of Messiah’s righteousness over your life by faith in Him as your Messiah (2 Corinthians 5:21); this, by faith in Jesus, and you are only sanctified through the work of the indwelling Holy Spirit during daily sanctification, a life-long process where the Holy Spirit prepares the redeemed in Jesus for service in the New Jerusalem (Galatians 5:16); it is during daily sanctification that true repentance manifests through the production of divine fruit (John 15:8; Matthew 3:8).

Case in point concerning repentance,

If you offended me and hated me and ridiculed me through your actions and words but came to me asking for a favor or intercession due my unique ability to provide that “favor” but you remained in your offensive posture…why would I entertain your request seeing that you express no desire to change your attitude toward me? Why would Elohim entertain the prayer for salvation offered by one who had no intent or desire to change their obsession with the Adamic sin-nature?

Is repentance necessary for salvation?

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Is “repentance” necessary for salvation or does true repentance follow salvation by faith in Jesus as Messiah, alone?

Jesus emphasized the need for “repentance” but is repentance an element of salvation or does repentance manifest subsequent salvation? Can one truly “repent” lest one is born again by the Holy Spirit through faith in Jesus?

Discussion, Premise, open for debate…

If one truly “believes” that Jesus is Messiah and desires an eternal relationship with the Father through faith in Jesus, repentance is integral with faith as that saving faith will naturally lead to a life seeking obedience, a new life in Jesus that turns away from the works of the Adamic nature as the conscience is now acutely attuned to compromise with sin; this, through daily sanctification, a work of the indwelling Holy Spirit given to all who believe (Galatians 5:16; Ephesians 1:13:14).

Repentance IS part of the total salvation experience but without the indwelling Holy Spirit given ONLY to those who “believe” (Ephesians 1:13-14; John 3)…true repentance is not possible; therefore, what comes first, the chicken or the egg?

The “desire” to repent is integral with true faith in Jesus as one realizes their need for Jesus’ atonement due their sin nature, but the ability to fulfill the desire to live a holy life is only actuated or made possible “subsequent” belief; this, as true repentance, the power and anointing to truly repent, is not possible void the indwelling Holy Spirit who initiates the “new creation” in Messiah (Ephesians 1:13-14; 2 Corinthians 5:17); so then, does one have to actually verbalize or say they repent of their sin in order to be saved? I think that’s open for debate but suggesting that verbalizing or repenting in order to be saved is a theological stretch, a subtle “works doctrine,” as it’s not practically possible to truly “repent” lest one is “born again” by faith-belief and has then received the indwelling Holy Spirit as Guarantor of New Covenant with the Father; yes, one can express a “desire” or a NEED to repent but desire does not equate to true repentance.

What say YOU? Is “belief”-faith in Jesus as Messiah who died for you the KEY to salvation or must one first repent?

Must one repent and demonstrate evidence of that repentance in conjunction with faith to be saved – or – are the fruits of repentance (Galatians 5) that follows salvation, fruits of righteousness inspired by the indwelling Holy Spirit, the validation and authentication that one’s “faith” is true saving faith; after all, Jesus did say “You will know them by their fruit” (Matthew 7:15-20)?