That's just your translation preference. Some translations render it "grant" in both verses. God doesn't give repentance in the sense Calvinists say. He gives it in the sense that he bars no one from repentance. He grants them access to repentance. Again, Paul said that he granted (gave) repentance to Israel (Acts 5:31). But not all Israel repented. That should prove that Calvinists got things wrong.
"For unto you it has been granted not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake."
Repentance is a work if you withdraw from your sins. I have only given up one sin that I did not fight to give up. I was an agnostic, God adverse, person. As a child my parents actions turned me against God. Their actions were normal for flesh and blood people, they believed in Jesus but were still in the world, we were not rich. Both parents came through the great depression of the 20's – 30's. Their security and trust in anything except valuable possessions shaken and it lasted most of their life. They placed great trust in their possessions. This affected their faith in Jesus and I saw it as hypocrisy. They were sinners as we all are. I grew up believing that I was an intellectual. I was too smart to believe but not dumb enough to entirely dismiss God as a reality. I claimed being an agnostic. I went my own way without God.
Like a lot of people, my way got me into trouble. After 18 years in the military, the service told me to shape up or ship out. I didn't want to lose the time I had built up to retire, I only had 2 years to go. I decided to shape up. I got into an organization that offered a spiritual program to over come my problem. To cut a long story short I came to understand that Jesus could help me overcome my problems. I began to read the bible.
John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. NKJV
I came to believe that all I had to do was believe in Jesus and my problem would be solved. That was all I had to do to be saved, for an eternity, was believe in Jesus.
John 3:32 And what He has seen and heard, that He testifies; and no one receives His testimony. 33 He who has received His testimony has certified that God is true. 34 For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God does not give the Spirit by measure. NKJV
When I believed I had repented toward God. Before I didn't believe in Jesus and because I received hope from the gospel message God gave me several gifts.
Colossians 1:3 We give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, 4 since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of your love for all the saints; 5 because of the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, of which you heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel, NKJV
When I believed in Jesus, because He gave me hope, I received the gifts of His love for the saints and saving faith. At that same time, I was born from above and I now had His, Jesus', mind.
All I needed to do was listen and believe, to obedience, His mind as He told me God's law is holy, just and the only way to be happy. That is total repentance as He gives us the power to overcome.
Romans 8:12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors — not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. 13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. NKJV
Because God had granted me repentance, which I accepted (a gift needs to be accepted for it to help you. God doesn't force gifts on anyone), all I needed to do is follow His voice, as Jesus told me to give up the first sin that He convicted me of or die, to prove that I was His Child. Once I proved that I was His child I had reached eternal life.
Once we pass the point that we prove we are His child, He does expect work from us. Up to that point Jesus did it all.
1 John 3:3 And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure. NKJV
Those people who keep believing in Jesus, because of the hope that He gives them, will stay in the Spirit to their death, because they are His child. All they need to do is keep believing in Jesus.
So, I do not care if the verse is translated granted or gives repentance. All we need to do is keep hoping in Jesus to receive the free gift.
Philippians 1:29 For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, 30 having the same conflict which you saw in me and now hear is in me. NKJV
Does the above only apply to the Philippians or to all Christians?
Mark 13:20 20 And unless the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect's sake, whom He chose, He shortened the days. NKJV
In the tribulation God chose the elect that would suffer through at least a part of the tribulation. Did God choose those elect from the elect that volunteered?
Hebrews 12:5 And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: "My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; 6 For whom the Lord loves He chastens, And scourges every son whom He receives." NKJV
It seems all the elect choose to be scourged.
Thank you.
