Repentance: Not What You Think it is!

You need to stop sinning anyway with God help, the bible says don't be deceived those who practice this and that, are not going to inherit the kingdom of God.

If repentance were only about a wrong view about how to be saved, the Bible would say so.

Repentance--metanoia in Greek--in the Bible, however, is a lot more than that.

We absolutely should repent of thinking that we can earn our way by our works.
We also need to repent of everything else too.

And that's something that we do daily, repentance--metanoia--is a mode of existence, a way of life, it is the Christian way.

"Do not be conformed to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind"

"Have this same disposition in you that was in Christ Jesus, who though being by nature God, did not regard equality with God something to exploit, but instead emptied Himself and taking on the form of a slave"

"If we say we have no sin then we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us, but if we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us of all unrighteousness."

"The kingdom of God is at hand, repent and believe the Gospel"

Etc.

It is the work of the Holy Spirit who is molding us, shaping us, working in us and on us to conform us to the image of Christ. And that involves being at the receiving end of God's mercy, abiding in Christ through faith, it means cooperating with God to walk in the way of God and the will of God. This is Ephesians 2:10, it's not about how we "get saved", it's about what we were saved for--we were saved for good works, to walk in them, to walk in the Spirit, to live in accordance to Christ, in the new obedience we have received as a people born anew by grace and the Spirit.

Metanoia is a grand continuing work of changing us from the inside-out by the Spirit, as how we think and what we do is being defined by Jesus Christ, and shaped by the Holy Spirit. It's an essential part, a massive part, of what is often called Sanctification, Theosis, and spiritual repair.

-CryptoLutheran

In the discourse of biblical theology, as rendered in the New King James Version, repentance stands as a central and inescapable doctrine, profoundly intertwined with the reality of sin and the enduring authority of the Ten Commandments as the eternal moral law, reflective of God’s immutable character. Jesus, in His earthly ministry, articulates this theme with striking clarity, presenting repentance as a deliberate turning from sin—a volitional reorientation of the human will toward divine holiness—and linking it inextricably to the moral framework established in the Decalogue.

At the outset of His mission, Jesus proclaims, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel” (Mark 1:15), framing repentance as an urgent and transformative response to the inbreaking of divine rule. This call presupposes sin as a pervasive deviation from God’s will, a reality Jesus elucidates when engaging the rich young ruler. He invokes the Commandments directly—“You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery,’ ‘Do not murder,’ ‘Do not steal,’ ‘Do not bear false witness,’ ‘Do not defraud,’ ‘Honor your father and your mother’” (Mark 10:19)—affirming their role as the objective standard of righteousness. Yet, He probes deeper, exposing the man’s attachment to wealth as a breach of the heart’s allegiance, revealing sin as both act and disposition, fully encompassed by the scope of the eternal law.

The Ten Commandments, given at Sinai, transcend mere historical legislation; they constitute the abiding expression of God’s moral essence. Jesus upholds this truth in His Sermon on the Mount, declaring, “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill” (Matthew 5:17). Rather than diminishing the Decalogue’s authority, He intensifies its demands, extending the prohibition against murder to include anger (Matthew 5:22) and adultery to encompass lust (Matthew 5:28). Through these teachings, He demonstrates that sin violates not only the letter but the spirit of the Commandments, necessitating repentance as a holistic return to conformity with this divine standard.

The parable of the prodigal son in Luke 15:11-32 further illuminates this dynamic. The son’s descent into dissipation—a flagrant disregard for the Commandments’ mandates of honor, integrity, and stewardship—culminates in his resolve: “I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you’” (Luke 15:18). This turning exemplifies repentance as a recognition of sin’s relational and moral breach, measured against the eternal law, and a subsequent restoration to divine favor. Jesus presents this not as an isolated incident but as a paradigm of the human condition and its remedy.

In His confrontations with the Pharisees, Jesus ties repentance to the moral law with equal force, denouncing their outward conformity as a mask for inward corruption—greed and hypocrisy that contravene the Decalogue’s deeper intent (Luke 11:39-42). His stern warning to Chorazin and Bethsaida, “repent, or else” (Matthew 11:21), reinforces the gravity of sin as defiance of the eternal standard, while His mercy toward the adulterous woman—“Go and sin no more” (John 8:11)—invokes the Seventh Commandment, framing repentance as both cessation of transgression and pursuit of righteousness.

Through these teachings, Jesus establishes repentance as the essential counterpart to sin, defined as any departure from the Ten Commandments, which endure as the eternal moral law. Far from a transient code, the Decalogue reflects God’s unchanging holiness, upheld by Christ as the criterion of fidelity in the divine-human relationship. Repentance, then, emerges as an indispensable act of realignment, a turning from sin’s dominion to the redemptive order governed by this everlasting statute, securing communion with the divine.

Blessings

alaric said:

Repentance is to change your mind with regards to the worldly way to obtain salvation.

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Repentance is not just changing your mind, it's turning away from - turning your back on something and going in a new direction.

The world doesn't have a way to obtain salvation, only its own idea about who God should let into heaven; i.e. those who do good deeds. But if they don't read the Bible, it remains only their own idea.
The world would also say that a murderer/abuser/rapist should "rot in hell"; not knowing, or realising, that if such a person were to genuinely repent, they would have eternal life and go to heaven.

Most people grow up under the laws of the land, learning right from wrong as they go. Parents, teachers, and society guide us into adulthood, instilling moral duties—though often ones shaped more by human ideas than anything divine. Almost everyone feels this pull, except maybe those who’ve completely checked out. I call it the "external force" we all live under, one way or another. We know when we’ve messed up and try to fix it.

When the wrongdoing’s big, most of us—unless we’re totally hardened—feel regret and want to clear the guilt weighing us down. It’s a human thing, and in the world’s eyes, it works well enough. Sometimes it even looks like real repentance. Why do we even feel this regret? Because God made sure our consciences (external force) don’t just switch off. Sure, some push it away long enough to do terrible things, but eventually, that conscience creeps back to haunt them. They’ll do everything to drown it out, but without God stepping in to spark true repentance, the guilt won’t let go.

But that’s not the same as biblical repentance, the kind born from godly sorrow. It starts when we realize our sin isn’t just against our neighbor—someone we’re called to love—or even just against ourselves, when we hurt our own souls by what we do. It’s a deep offense against God Himself. That hits hard, driving us to cry out to a God the world can’t see, with tears of real remorse. We grieve not only for hurting others or ourselves, but even more for wounding our Great Redeemer, the One we’re meant to love most. This kind of repentance grows from knowing God deeper—seeing how much He loves us. And the more we grasp that love, the more we love Him back, just like with people in our lives: the better we know them, the more we care.

That love makes us want to hold back from hurting them, to live at peace as much as we can. It’s the same with God—we’re called to peace with Him. Repentance isn’t a one-time thing; it’s a lesson we keep learning in this life, never getting it perfect but always pushing forward. It’s about knowing what offends God and leaning on His Word, His Spirit, and our choice to trust and obey—slowly breaking free from old sins that trip us up, even if the progress drags at times.

Those who’ve been on this road can look in the mirror and wonder, "Why’s this old me still hanging around?" Then they glance back ten years and see how far they’ve come.

Repentance is NOT turning.
If it were turning God would not have to say "repent AND turn" in.... John 3:9, Jeremiah 4:28, Jeremiah 31:19, Ezekiel 14:6, etc....
If repent meant to turn from SIN as everyone keeps insinuating.. Then God is a sinner in... Genesis 6:7...
Salvation is FAITH ALONE, the word repent means to CHANGE MIND it speaks NOTHING about turning or stopping.
Romans 11:6
And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.
Romans 11:29
For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.
Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Jereimiah33_3 said:

Repentance is NOT turning.
If it were turning God would not have to say "repent AND turn" in.... John 3:9, Jeremiah 4:28, Jeremiah 31:19, Ezekiel 14:6, etc....
If repent meant to turn from SIN as everyone keeps insinuating.. Then God is a sinner in... Genesis 6:7...
Salvation is FAITH ALONE, the word repent means to CHANGE MIND it speaks NOTHING about turning or stopping.
Romans 11:6
And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.
Romans 11:29
For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.
Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

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A faith manifested in repentance, renouncing sin to follow Christ into a life of the righteousness of love, is how the Believer sanctifies himself to God (2 Timothy 2:19; Romans 6:19-22; Acts 3:19; Acts 20:20-21; Acts 26:19-20; 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8).

2 Timothy 2:19-21 (WEB) 19 However God’s firm foundation stands, having this seal, “The Lord knows those who are his,” [Numbers 16:5] and, “Let every one who names the name of the Lord depart from unrighteousness [sanctification]” 20 Now in a large house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of clay. Some are for honor, and some for dishonor. 21 If anyone therefore purges himself from these [sanctification], he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, and suitable for the master’s use, prepared for every good work.

Romans 6:19-22 (WEB) 19 I speak in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh, for as you presented your members as servants to uncleanness and to wickedness upon wickedness, even so now present your members as servants to righteousness for sanctification. 20 For when you were servants of sin, you were free from righteousness. 21 What fruit then did you have at that time in the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. 22 But now, being made free from sin and having become slaves of God, you bear your fruit of sanctification and the result is eternal life.

Acts 3:19 … 19 “Repent therefore, and be converted [sanctified], that your sins may be blotted out

Acts 20:20-21 … 20 I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, teaching you publicly and from house to house, 21 testifying both to Jews and to Greeks repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus [sanctification].

Acts 26:17 I send you to them 18 to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God [by the Gospel, vs 19-20], so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me. 19 “Therefore, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision; 20 but rather, I declared first in Damascus, at Jerusalem, and throughout all the country of Judea, and also to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God [turn from darkness to light by the Gospel] doing works worthy of repentance. [sanctification]

1 Thessalonians 4:3-8 (Paul admonishing Christians) 3 For this is the will of God: your sanctification, that you abstain from sexual immorality, 4 that each one of you know how to control his own body in sanctification and honor, 5 not in the passion of lust, even as the Gentiles who don’t know God, 6 that no one should take advantage of and wrong a brother or sister in this matter. The Lord will punish all those who commit such sins, as we keep warning you. 7 For God did not call us [Christians] to be impure, but to live a sanctified life. 8 Therefore, anyone who rejects this instruction rejects God, not man. This is the very God who gives to you his Holy Spirit.

Jereimiah33_3 said:

Repentance is NOT turning.
If it were turning God would not have to say "repent AND turn" in.... John 3:9, Jeremiah 4:28, Jeremiah 31:19, Ezekiel 14:6, etc....
If repent meant to turn from SIN as everyone keeps insinuating.. Then God is a sinner in... Genesis 6:7...
Salvation is FAITH ALONE, the word repent means to CHANGE MIND it speaks NOTHING about turning or stopping.
Romans 11:6
And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.
Romans 11:29
For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.
Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Click to expand...

When those who were chosen by God to receive grace before the foundation of the world hear the gospel, grace works in them to bring forth good works, for the election and works of God cannot be undone.

When those who did not receive grace before the foundation of the world hear the gospel, they continue in wickedness and cherry pick truth seeking to persuade themselves and all around them that they have received grace.

Matthew 22:14 ASV
For many are called, but few chosen.

James 2:20 KJV
But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

NBB said:

You need to stop sinning anyway with God help, the bible says don't be deceived those who practice this and that, are not going to inherit the kingdom of God.

Click to expand...

Ok so when it says "those who practice this and that" is this knowingly repeating that sin. This makes sense as a person is convicted and then they repent and are committed to not practicing that sin anymore. This is the change of heart and mind.

I think there are two parts to salvation. The first part is the laws God gave us or made us aware of that showed we are sinners. Paul speaks of this as our flesh nature thats prone to sin. We realise we are wretched sinners incapable of defeating sins hold over us.

The other part naturally flows from this. We look for someone who can save us from ourselves which has to be worthy and able to defeat sin and deaths hold. This is in the death and resurrection of Jesus. In turning to the saviour our sinful nature is put to death and we are made new in Christs spirit.

Like Nicodemis asked Christ how can a person go back in their mothers womb and be born again. Its a spiritual rebirth. A new person who is not longer under the chains of the law but working to a new way of being in which the persons heart is after the Lord to please Him. But I also lifts us up in spirit above the flesh. We take joy in obeying God as we know we are in good hands.

Nice post my friend, Praise God, for it is He that works in us both to will and do His good pleasure. For in Him we live, move and have our being! For He that has been baptized into Christ has put on Christ. That the old man be crucified with Him that that body of sin be destroyed. That hence forth we we shall not serve sin. For he that is dead, is freed from sin. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested. that He destroy the works of the devil condemning sin in the flesh. That the righteousness of the Law be fulfilled in us who walk after the Spirit of the Life in Christ Jesus and not after the flesh that the sin has been condemned in. For if we walk after the flesh with the sin that is condemned we shall die. But if we mortify the deeds of the body we shall live.

alaric said:

What is the worldly way to obtain salvation? The worldly way of salvation is to stop sinning and do more good works to be qualify for God's acceptance. But according to God, no sinner can enter heaven.

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Salvation is two part. For he that commits sin is a slave to it. And the slave, the sinner shall not abide in the House forever, but the Son forever. And if the Son shall set us free, free we are indeed. For the Spirit of the life in Christ Jesus has set us free from the Law of sin and death, by condemning sin in the flesh. That the righteousness of the Law be fulfilled in us who walk after the Spirit of the life in Christ Jesus and not after the flesh.

alaric said:

The only way to change the sinner status is to accept Jesus' payment for our sins and to be BORN AGAIN (made into a new creation).

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Amen! Have faith my friends. Be confident of this very thing, that God which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ. For it is He which worketh in us both to will and to do of his good pleasure. Comforting our hearts, and stablish us in every good word and work, keeping us from evil. Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, abounding therein with thanksgiving. Sealed with the Spirit in our hearts. To the end he may stablish you, unblameable in holiness before God,


Phil 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
Phil 2:13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

2Thess 2:16 Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace,
2Thess 2:17 Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.
2Thess 3:3 But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil.

Rom 16:25 Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,
Col 2:7 Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.

1Thess 3:2 And sent Timotheus, our brother, and minister of God, and our fellowlabourer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith:
1Thess 3:13 To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.

2Cor 1:21 Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God;
2Cor 1:22 Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.


1Pet 5:10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.
1Pet 5:11 To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

Jereimiah33_3 said:

Repentance is NOT turning.
If it were turning God would not have to say "repent AND turn" in.... John 3:9, Jeremiah 4:28, Jeremiah 31:19, Ezekiel 14:6, etc....
If repent meant to turn from SIN as everyone keeps insinuating.. Then God is a sinner in... Genesis 6:7...
Salvation is FAITH ALONE, the word repent means to CHANGE MIND it speaks NOTHING about turning or stopping.
Romans 11:6
And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.
Romans 11:29
For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.
Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Click to expand...

God’s grace is the starting point—He initiates repentance, which isn’t just a mental shift but a deep, Spirit-led transformation. My post reflects this: recognizing sin, by His grace, leads to true change, making us ‘born again’ (John 3:3) and shaping us over time. If repentance were merely a change of mind, why does Jesus call for ‘fruit worthy of repentance’ (Matthew 3:8), and Paul urge believers to ‘work out your salvation with fear and trembling’ (Philippians 2:12)? Even James 2:17 affirms that ‘faith, if it has no works, is dead.’ This isn’t about earning grace—it’s about God’s grace reshaping us into His image, as I described, far beyond an intellectual decision.

Would love to hear your thoughts on how godly sorrow (2 Corinthians 7:10) connects with repentance in your view.

stevevw said:

Ok so when it says "those who practice this and that" is this knowingly repeating that sin. This makes sense as a person is convicted and then they repent and are committed to not practicing that sin anymore. This is the change of heart and mind.

I think there are two parts to salvation. The first part is the laws God gave us or made us aware of that showed we are sinners. Paul speaks of this as our flesh nature thats prone to sin. We realise we are wretched sinners incapable of defeating sins hold over us.

The other part naturally flows from this. We look for someone who can save us from ourselves which has to be worthy and able to defeat sin and deaths hold. This is in the death and resurrection of Jesus. In turning to the saviour our sinful nature is put to death and we are made new in Christs spirit.

Like Nicodemis asked Christ how can a person go back in their mothers womb and be born again. Its a spiritual rebirth. A new person who is not longer under the chains of the law but working to a new way of being in which the persons heart is after the Lord to please Him. But I also lifts us up in spirit above the flesh. We take joy in obeying God as we know we are in good hands.

Click to expand...

A person who has repented and put his faith in Lord Jesus is not merely a recipient of his sinful nature being "put to death;" rather the believer is commanded to put to death is sinful nature to be given life by the indwelling Spirit.

Romans 8:12-14 [Admonishing Spirit-indwelt Christians] Therefore, brothers and sisters, we [Christians] are obligated, but it is not to the flesh to live according to it. 13 For if you live according to the flesh, you will Die. But if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will Live. 14 For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.

To be led by the Spirit into life, the Christian is admonished to walk in and sow to the Spirit.

Galatians 6:7-9 Paul admonishes Christians 7 Do not be deceived. God is not mocked! For whatever a man sows, he will also reap. 8 He who sows to his flesh will from the flesh reap corruption. But he who sows to the Spirit will {{{from the Spirit}}} reap Eternal Life. 9 Let {{{us}}} not be weary in doing good, for {{{we}}} will reap in due season, {{{if we}}} do not give up.

Galatians 5:24-25 Those who belong to Christ [saved] have crucified the flesh with its passions and lusts. 25 If we [Paul includes himself] live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.

Spirit-indwelt Christians can resist the Spirit when they grieve (Ephesians 4:17-32), quench (1 Thessalonians 5:19), insult/enrage (Hebrews 10:24-31), reject (1 Thessalonians 4:1-8), and test (Acts 5:3, 9) the Spirit who indwells and gives life by our faith?

1 Thessalonians 4:7-8 … 7 For God did not call us [Christians] to be impure, but to live a sanctified life. 8 Therefore, anyone who rejects this instruction rejects God, not man. This is the very God who gives to you his Holy Spirit.

Christians walk in the Spirit (Light) as they continue in the faith, following Lord Jesus into a sanctified life in the righteousness of Love.

1 Peter 1:14-16 Admonishing Christians: 14 as children of obedience, not conforming yourselves according to your former lusts as in your ignorance, 15 but just as he who called you is holy, you yourselves also be holy in all your behavior; 16 For it is written, “You shall be holy; for I am holy.” [Leviticus 11:44-45]

The Spirit, therefore, leads to eternal life as the Christian continues in the faith manifested in continually sowing to the Spirit without giving up.

Galatians 6:7-9 Paul admonishes Christians 7 Do not be deceived. God is not mocked! For whatever a man sows, he will also reap. 8 He who sows to his flesh will from the flesh reap corruption. But he who sows to the Spirit will {{{from the Spirit}}} reap Eternal Life. 9 Let {{{us}}} not be weary in doing good, for {{{we}}} will reap in due season, {{{if we}}} do not give up.

alaric said:

Repentance is to change your mind with regards to the worldly way to obtain salvation.
What is the worldly way to obtain salvation? The worldly way of salvation is to stop sinning and do more good works to be qualify for God's acceptance. But according to God, no sinner can enter heaven.
Revelation 21:27 Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.
That includes sinner who by their own definition has stopped sinning (in reality, no sinner can stop sinning in action or thought). A sinner who is able to sin less and do a lot of good works, is just a well behaved sinner. A sinner is still a sinner regardless whether he is sinning less and did a lot of good works. No amount of good works or committing less sin will change the status of a sinner into a saint.
True repentance is to understand that a sinner cannot save himself because nobody can change their sinner status through good works or committing less sins. The only way to change the sinner status is to accept Jesus' payment for our sins and to be BORN AGAIN (made into a new creation).
2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

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God chooses to save all those sinners who first repent, turning to God from sin. That is the Gospel.

Luke 24:46 He said to them, “Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, 47 and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be preached in his name to all the nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

Acts 26:20 First to in Damascus, then to those in Jerusalem, in all Judea, and to the Gentiles, I preached that they should repent and turn to God [conversion] and manifest their repentance by their deeds.

The New Creation

2 Corinthians 5:15-17 (WEB) 15 He died for all, that people should no longer live to themselves, but to him [conversion] who for their sakes died and rose again. 16 Therefore we know no one after the flesh from now on. Even though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now we know him so no more. 17 Therefore [for the reasons given in vs 15-16] if anyone is in Christ [by turning from selfish ambition to Jesus as Lord: v. 15], he is a new creation. The old things have passed away. Behold, all things have become new.

Contrary to popular teaching, God doesn’t “make” us a new creation unless, by faith, we continually renounce living for selfish ambitions and commit to live for Him who died to redeem us (vs. 15).

The Spirit leads to Life those who, by faith, walk in the Spirit as he leads, putting sin to death.

Galatians 5:24-25 Those who belong to Christ [saved] have crucified the flesh with its passions and lusts. 25 If we [Paul includes himself] live by the Spirit, let us [Paul includes himself] also keep in step with the Spirit.

Salvation is 100% God’s work in those who, by faith, follow as God leads by His Word and Spirit; so, the Christian is to work out his salvation with fear and trembling, knowing that it is God himself dwelling in the believer by His Spirit; therefore do not test, grieve, quench, or insult the Spirit.

Philippians 2:12-13 (WEB) 12 So then, my beloved, even as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 13 For it is God who works in you both to will and to work, for his good pleasure.

God works in believers to will and to work as believers live by God’s indwelling Spirit leading us.

Romans 8:14 For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.

God works in believers to will and to work by the leading of the indwelling Spirit, but Christians are responsible to walk as the Spirit leads to possess Life, and to continue in Life. Many Christians will:

• Grieve the indwelling Spirit (Ephesians 4:17-32)
• Quench the indwelling Spirit (1 Thessalonians 5:19)
• Enrage the indwelling Spirit (Hebrews 10:24-31)
• Reject the indwelling Spirit (1 Thessalonians 4:1-8)
• Lie to the indwelling Spirit (Acts 5:3)
• Test the indwelling Spirit (Acts 5:9)

Therefore, God works in us His salvation as the Christian remains in the faith, diligent to sow to the Spirit to have Eternal Life by the Spirit.

Galatians 6:8 For he who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption. 9 But he who sows to the Spirit will {{{from the Spirit}}} reap Eternal Life. Let us not be weary in doing good, for we will reap in due season if we do not give up.

Romans 2:7-9 (WEB) 7 To those who by perseverance in doing good seek glory [from God], honor, and incorruptibility – Eternal Life

bob121 said:

God’s grace is the starting point—He initiates repentance, which isn’t just a mental shift but a deep, Spirit-led transformation. My post reflects this: recognizing sin, by His grace, leads to true change, making us ‘born again’ (John 3:3) and shaping us over time. If repentance were merely a change of mind, why does Jesus call for ‘fruit worthy of repentance’ (Matthew 3:8), and Paul urge believers to ‘work out your salvation with fear and trembling’ (Philippians 2:12)? Even James 2:17 affirms that ‘faith, if it has no works, is dead.’ This isn’t about earning grace—it’s about God’s grace reshaping us into His image, as I described, far beyond an intellectual decision.

Would love to hear your thoughts on how godly sorrow (2 Corinthians 7:10) connects with repentance in your view.

Click to expand...

All of what you wrote is true, but only if the sinner does not resist the Spirit or refuse God's gracious invitation by the Gospel.

God kindly leads or draws all sinners to repentance (Romans 2:4-5; 1 Timothy 2:3-4; 2 Peter 3:9-14).

Romans 2:4-5 (WEB) Or do you despise the riches of his goodness, forbearance, and patience, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?

Sinners can resist the Gospel Call and the Spirit to repentance and faith.

Matthew 22:3 He sent his servants to those who were invited [called] to the banquet to ask them to come, but they refused.

2 Thessalonians 2:10 (NIV) They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved.

Acts 7:51 You who are stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears are always resisting the Holy Spirit.

God has mercy on all sinners for their salvation, but they have to be willing recipients of God's grace.

Romans 11:32 (KJV) 32 For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, so that he might have mercy upon all.

Romans 10:21 All day long I stretched out my hands to a disobedient and obstinate people.

God grants the gracious opportunity by the Gospel for all sinners to be saved by our faith (a continuous faith), unless God hardens persons (Romans 1:22-28), or hides the Gospel (Mark 2:11-12) from them, for continually rejecting his light and grace.

God would not have to selectively harden or hide the Gospel from someone so they cannot believe and be saved if the unregenerate sinner was born totally unable to believe in Lord Jesus for salvation to begin with (Romans 1:22-28; Mark 2:11-12).

setst777 said:

All of what you wrote is true, but only if the sinner does not resist the Spirit or refuse God's gracious invitation by the Gospel.

God kindly leads or draws all sinners to repentance (Romans 2:4-5; 1 Timothy 2:3-4; 2 Peter 3:9-14).

Romans 2:4-5 (WEB) Or do you despise the riches of his goodness, forbearance, and patience, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?

Sinners can resist the Gospel Call and the Spirit to repentance and faith.

Matthew 22:3 He sent his servants to those who were invited [called] to the banquet to ask them to come, but they refused.

Thank you for your thoughts on what I was inferring—it’s spot on that God’s grace starts it, and it flows when we don’t resist His Spirit, though that might not always be clear to everyone. For anyone wrestling with what biblical repentance really means, take this as encouragement: that struggle to break free, turn, trust, and stay faithful to God’s Word isn’t failure—it’s the sure sign of true repentance working itself out. God’s grace is stronger than our stumbles, shaping us step by step into His image. Even when progress feels slow, every tear of godly sorrow (2 Corinthians 7:10) and every choice to lean on Him proves His Spirit’s at work—He won’t let go.2 Thessalonians 2:10 (NIV) They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved.

Acts 7:51 You who are stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears are always resisting the Holy Spirit.

God has mercy on all sinners for their salvation, but they have to be willing recipients of God's grace.

Romans 11:32 (KJV) 32 For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, so that he might have mercy upon all.

Romans 10:21 All day long I stretched out my hands to a disobedient and obstinate people.

God grants the gracious opportunity by the Gospel for all sinners to be saved by our faith (a continuous faith), unless God hardens persons (Romans 1:22-28), or hides the Gospel (Mark 2:11-12) from them, for continually rejecting his light and grace.

God would not have to selectively harden or hide the Gospel from someone so they cannot believe and be saved if the unregenerate sinner was born totally unable to believe in Lord Jesus for salvation to begin with (Romans 1:22-28; Mark 2:11-12).

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Thank you for the supportive bible verses and your thoughts on what I was inferring—it’s spot on that God’s grace starts it, and it flows when we don’t resist His Spirit, though that might not always be clear to everyone. For anyone wrestling with what biblical repentance really means, take this as encouragement: that struggle to break free, turn, trust, and stay faithful to God’s Word isn’t failure—it’s the sure sign of true repentance working itself out. God’s grace is stronger than our stumbles, shaping us step by step into His image. Even when progress feels slow, every tear of godly sorrow (2 Corinthians 7:10) and every choice to lean on Him proves His Spirit’s at work—He won’t let go. I would like to add this bible verse:
Deuteronomy 10:14-16
See, the sky, the heaven beyond the sky, the earth and everything on it all belong to Adonai your God. Only Adonai took enough pleasure in your ancestors to love them and choose their descendants after them — yourselves — above all peoples, as he still does today. Therefore, circumcise the foreskin of your heart; and don’t be stiffnecked any longer!

Have a blessed day/night, from Japan.

ViaCrucis said:

"The kingdom of God is at hand, repent and believe the Gospel"

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Perhaps the most significant line in the New Testament. So rich in meaning. So much to explore. "Kingdom of God", "at hand", Repent", "believe" "Gospel".

5 weeks worth of meditation right there.