Many people in the Church are talking past each other on important topics. I have been guilty of that and perhaps you have too.
Instead of clinging to preconceived beliefs about the other person, I propose that we ask (and answer) some basic questions about salvation. What could be more important than that?
Do you believe that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God?
Do you believe that God is able to forgive those who accept Jesus Christ and His saving Gospel?
Do you believe that some people will choose to be lost, preferring sin and rebellion over the Plan of Salvation?
Do you believe that repentance is to change your mind regarding sin and Jesus Christ?
Do you believe that repentance is only possible because of God’s grace (Acts 5:31; 11:18)?
Do you believe that repentance is necessary for salvation?
Do you believe that sin can be overcome in a life given to God upon condition of surrender?
Do you believe that everyone will be saved?
Do you believe that our last-day Message for the world contains a compelling warning for everyone on Earth?
Do you believe that to reject or ignore that warning will result in your everlasting cosmic death?
All of salvation, including repentance and faith, is a result of God drawing us, opening our eyes, and changing our hearts. God’s longsuffering leads us to repentance (2 Peter 3:9), as does His kindness (Romans 2:4).
While repentance is not a work that earns salvation, repentance unto salvation does result in works. It is impossible to truly change your mind without that causing a change in behavior.
That is why John the Baptist called people to “produce fruit in keeping with repentance” (Matthew 3:8). A person who has truly repented of his sin and exercised faith in Christ will give evidence of a changed life (2 Corinthians 5:17; Galatians 5:19–23; James 2:14–26).
To see what repentance looks like in real life, all we need is to do is turn to the Bible story of Zacchaeus. Here was a man who cheated and stole and lived lavishly on his ill-gotten gains—until he met Jesus. At that point he had a radical change of heart. Jesus happily proclaimed that salvation had come to Zacchaeus’s house, and that even the tax collector was now “a son of Abraham” (verse 9)—a reference to Zacchaeus’ faith. The cheat became a philanthropist; the thief made restitution. That’s repentance, coupled to faith in Christ.
Repentance, properly defined, is necessary for salvation. Biblical repentance is changing your mind about your sin—no longer is sin something to toy with; it is something to be forsaken as we “flee from the coming wrath” (Matthew 3:7).
It is also changing your mind about Jesus Christ—no longer is He to be mocked, discounted, or ignored; He is the Savior to be clung to; He is the Lord to be worshiped and adored. He is what we all need so badly we can taste it (Psalm 34:8).
Realization of that need brings us together as a Church to the foot of the Cross. It brings us to Golgotha’s Hill, and Golgotha brings us to Gethsemane, and Gethsemane brings us to the Garden restored.
But first a few questions (see above). How did you answer them?
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