I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.

Luke 13:3

There’s a lot of different segments of Christianity with differing doctrinal beliefs. Whether it be Baptists and Presbyterians, or Calvinists and Arminians, many faithful Christians come to different viewpoints on doctrine. However, there are segments of Christianity that have beliefs that are on the brink heresy which can bring harm to believers, especially new believers. Among them are certain segments of Independent Baptists that fall into the easy-believism, hyper-grace camp. This camp takes the true biblical belief of being saved by grace through faith, and stretches it beyond what scripture actually says. They often believe that since we are saved by grace through faith, we can basically live however we want. They believe that salvation doesn’t necessitate change in the believer. With this, they believe any sort of call to obedience equals works based salvation. Among these is the idea that repentance is a work because they believe telling a believer to turn from sin is a work. Many professing Christians have bought into this very belief. So this begs the question, are they right? Is repentance a work? As we always do, lets look to the Word of God to answer this question.

To start, lets look at what repentance even means. The word repent in the New Testament comes from the Greek verb μετανοέω (metanoeō), which means to change ones mind. So in terms of salvation, what would this look like? In terms of salvation, this would look like changing ones mind about sin and Christ Himself. As a result, the believer would then turn from their sin and to Christ. So technically, repentance does not mean turning from sin, but the application of it is turning from sin. So is repentance ultimately necessary? Must we change our mind about sin and Christ in order to be saved? Lets look to scripture.

“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

Matthew 3:2

From that time Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

Matthew 4:17

and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”

Mark 1:15

I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.”

Luke 13:5

Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord;

Acts 3:19

Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Acts 2:38

So in other words, yes, repentance is absolutely necessary for salvation. In fact, it is required to be saved. Now the next question that I would be asked is, if we must repent (change ones mind) to be saved, wouldn’t that mean that salvation is ultimately our doing? Wouldn’t this contradict the belief that we are saved by grace through faith? The answer would be no, and here’s why.

It is very much true that we are saved by grace through faith in Christ alone (Ephesians 2:8-9). There is not a single thing we can do to earn salvation. In reality, apart from Christ, we have no desire to seek after in the first place. There is no one on earth, who is apart from Christ, that are good and who seek after God (Romans 3:10-18). All of us have sinned, and we all likewise fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). And all of us were dead in our sin apart from Christ (Ephesians 2:1). So how can any of us be saved? The answer is Jesus Christ. The Father sent Jesus (God in flesh) to be crucified take on the wrath of God in our place for our sins and then rise from the grave on the third day (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). This means that those who repent and believe in Christ will be saved. However, there is more to it. Even before the foundation of the world, God had the plan of redemption all mapped out. He Himself chose whom He would save and then predestined them to be redeemed in Christ and then adopted as His child (Ephesians 1:3-6). Then, He calls us, through the preaching of His Word, to repent and believe in Christ. The issue is, we can’t respond to this call because we are spiritually dead and have hearts of stone. So in order for us to be able to respond in faith, God through the Holy Spirit, regenerates our hearts. He changes our hearts from hearts of stone to hearts of flesh (Ezekiel 36:26). This is what Jesus meant about being born again.

Jesus answered and said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

John 3:3

Now when being born again, not only do our hearts change, but also our minds. We see the true nature of sin and we such sorrow over it and then we turn from our sin and turn to Christ. In other words, we repent and then believe in Jesus Christ. So ultimately, repentance is an ability that is given to us by God through the Holy Spirit. This is why repentance is not a work as it is not ultimately done by our own ability. Now it is important to note, while repentance doesn’t mean we stop sinning completely, it does mean we turn from our life in sin. Let me explain.

On this side of eternity, sinless perfection is impossible for us. No matter how much we grow in sanctification, we will still sin. However, as followers of Christ, we do not live in sin. Yes, we sin, but we actively try to not sin. To live in sin means to live your life in the flesh being enslaved to sin. And as controversial as this may sound, if you are living in sin with no remorse or anything, you are not saved.

Everyone who practices sin also practices lawlessness; and sin is lawlessness. You know that He appeared in order to take away sins; and in Him there is no sin. No one who abides in Him sins; no one who sins has seen Him or knows Him. Little children, make sure no one deceives you; the one who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous; the one who practices sin is of the devil; for the devil has sinned from the beginning. The Son of God appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil. No one who is born of God practices sin, because His seed abides in him; and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. By this the children of God and the children of the devil are obvious: anyone who does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor the one who does not love his brother.

1 John 3:4-10

Just because we are saved by grace and not of works does not mean we have a license to sin freely (Romans 6:1-11). When we are saved we are called to live a life of obedience. To submit our lives to Christ. Now we do not obey to be saved, nor to stay saved because we cannot lose our salvation (Romans 8:38-39). We obey because we are saved. If we are truly saved, we will show fruit. Justification will always lead to sanctification. Now how about those who profess to believe, but there is no change? The hyper-grace folks would say they are saved, but biblically speaking, they are not. Salvation always involves transformation. If someone claims to believe but still lives in sin, they won’t lose their salvation, they just prove they never had it to begin with (1 John 2:19).

In conclusion, repentance is not biblically considered a work and it is required for salvation. After all, how can you turn to Christ if you don’t first turn from sin. You cannot serve two masters (Matthew 6:24). So with all this said, I implore to my brothers and sisters to stay away from the hyper-grace camp. They teach dangerous doctrine that causes many false conversions. This is why it is important for Christians to have discernment and to rely on the Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Always test what you hear by going to the scriptures. Continue to stand firm in the faith and persevere. Thank you and as always, all glory be to Christ.