Of Repentance unto Life
Repentance unto life is an evangelical grace…
Repentance means a turning, a turning from our sins, which lead to death, and a turning to Christ, which leads to life eternal. Repentance is not a “work” in the sense that it merits salvation. Salvation is a free gift. But we cannot receive the gift unless we first repent; unless in fact we keep on repenting. It is incumbent upon us to repent. “Unless you repent, you will likewise perish.” (Luke 13:3)
And yet—and here is the mystery—repentance itself is a gift. “In humility [we ought to be] correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth.” (2 Tim 2:25)
So repentance is a grace, a gift, and yet it is ours to do. I don’t need to fully understand it. I just need to do it.
