A Necessary Combination: Repentance and Faith

"We have a strange illusion that mere time cancels sin. But mere time does nothing either to the fact or to the guilt of a sin."  - C.S. Lewis

Imagine for a moment, a small village located in a rugged, isolated area. Being situated where it was made it rather difficult for anyone but the few local residents to leave or enter. One day an unpaved road is scratched out through the trees leading to the village.

And though the rough road makes access a little easier, it still takes several hours of driving after leaving the main highway to reach the village. Nevertheless, as it is the only road leading in, one must turn around in order to leave by the same road. Thus, one road leads in, the same road leads out.

I use this to illustrate our own situation with sin. We are all innate sinners. But, there too is a path leading away from sin. This path was paved for us by Jesus Christ. We may take this route away from sin, but in order to do so, we must first make a complete turnaround. There's no other way to do it.

This changeabout is what the Bible calls "repentance." But it is so much more than simply turning away from sin. Repentance involves a "change of mind and heart." What does this look like? Take a person who once was dead set on rejecting Jesus. After having a transforming "change of mind and heart," this same person now recognizes and has faith in Him.

Does repentance tie into salvation? You bet it does! Whether deliberately or out of sheer ignorance, we've all rejected Christ at one point in our lives. Then, something wonderful happens! Belief starts to grow in our hearts. Our minds begin to change (repent) from rejecting Christ to accepting Him as our Lord and Savior (Acts 2:38; 11:18). We all need repentance in regards to salvation. But you can't have repentance without belief.

Faith in Jesus Christ as the Savior without believing it in your heart is a falsehood. It won't save you. On the other hand, if you change your mind toward believing that Jesus truly is God and the only way to salvation... that's repentance! One cannot earn salvation by repenting. Salvation is a free gift that is offered to us from God and can't be earned (Ephesians 2:8-9).

Throughout our lives we will struggle with sin, going back and forth with our sinful desires. But, a repentant heart will always want to get back on track with God and distance itself from sin. You will discover that true repentance will guide/inspire your desire to bring glory to God, instead of a lifestyle that is focused only on worldly pleasures.

In closing, repentance is necessary for our salvation. Remember though, biblical repentance requires a complete change of mindset. We must believe that Jesus is God and our only way in faith to salvation (Romans 10:9).

During the course of our lives we will be offered and accept many gifts. Similarly, by the act repentance we accept the gift of salvation which is offered from Jesus Christ. Now tell me, who wouldn't want to receive that kind of gift?

Scripture: Jeremiah 7:5; Romans 4:5; John 5:14; Proverbs 1:23; Luke 3:3

Prayer: Dear God, I admit, as I stand here in front of You, that I have been less than upright with You. But, I'd like to change that today. I ask You for the forgiveness of my sins. The Bible says if I confess with my mouth that “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in my heart that God raised Him from the dead, I will be saved (Romans 10:9). I believe with my all my heart and I confess with here and now that Jesus is the Lord and Savior of my life. Thank You for saving me! Amen. 

Have a blessed day!

Brandi