Sorry, am posting again for clarity.
Jerrysch
What part does repentance play in a person's being considered justified in the sight of God?
There are 2 key words in your statement :
1- justified justification [strongs : righteous]
2- repentance [ means stop sinning as spelt out in Law of Moses ]
Justification
Acts 13:38-39 Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: 39 And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.
According to strongs, justified means righteous. The above verse enunciates further the term justified. It says that when we accept Christ as Saviour, our sins are forgiven, we become righteous before God. God accepts us as His children. This happens at the point of salvation.
a- salvation
b- milk christian
c- spiritually mature christian
Looking at the above chart, we see 3 points in a christians walk with God. At the point of salvation, sins are cleansed. One gets inducted into christianity, starts to learn the teachings of Christ. God has washed us clean of sins but old habits die hard. Now, it remains for us to wash ourselves of our old diehard habits and be renewed.
Then one gets to the point of --- milk christian. This is where learning and applying the teachings take place. This can take many years b/c old habits die hard. This is also the point that, after many years, life [hardship] remains unchanged and questions and doubts arise --- b/c of lack of knowledge. Many fall away.
Repentance
We are given promises of blessings but where are they ?
Now, we get to the point of ---- spiritually mature christians. This is where REPENTANCE if not already happened, must take place before blessings start to flow. Repentance / reborn / regeneration means a new you that is totally different from the old, ugly character that habitually broke the Laws [ lies, fornication (adultery, same sex, bestiality), trouble-maker, gossiper, violence, etc ].
So we must look at christianity as 3 main stages. That is what growing in Christ is all about. You cannot expect to be washed clean at salvation and remain the ugly tale-bearer, violent, hot-tempered, lusty, perverted soul you once were. Growth means renewal
of what
. character and personality that is brought about by a NEW MINDSET which is guided by the Law of Moses / the basic 10 commandments + no blood + no animal fat.
Between salvation and spiritual maturity, growth is DEMANDED. Otherwise,
Mt 7:19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
Growth is synonymous with repentance. Growth means changing, repenting, moulding oneself to the values of Christs teachings. We grow in the foll. areas :
1- knowledge of the Word of God [God expects you to know His teachings and to abide by them]
2- character and personality [stop the lies, fornication, etc]
Hope this explains.
Peace