I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you… ~ Ezekiel 36:26

I will give them a heart to know Me, that I am the LORD. They will be My people, and I will be their God, for they will return to Me with all their heart. ~ Jeremiah 24:7

And the LORD thy God will circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live. ~ Deuteronomy 30:6

Salvation is about a change that occurs within the heart.

When a person is saved, their heart changes and a new spirit is born within them. The work of salvation begins first in the heart of man, and when the heart turns to the Lord, a change in how one thinks and behaves, commences.

The purpose of this article is to address the true meaning of the Greek word for repentance (metanoeo) which is being exploited by many as simply a change of mind. This is causing an erosion regarding what it truly means to repent in regards to our faith in Jesus.

Metanoeo in its Biblical use is not simply changing the mind, such as deciding to eat a hamburger instead of pizza for lunch. The actual meaning  of the Greek word translated as metanoeo consists of two parts. Metá, “changed after being with” noiéō, “think” – properly, “think differently after,” “after a change of mind“; to repent (literally, “think differently afterwards”).

Notice that the meaning is not simply to change your mind, but to think differently after the mind has been changed. This change of mind is the result of something else, that is why metanoeo has to do with a change of thinking and purpose “afterwards.” 

After what? After the heart turns to the Lord! 

When the heart turns to the Lord (for with the heart man believes unto righteousness), then the mind changes. True repentance that accompanies salvation is a continuous thing and not a one time mental decision. That is why Paul speaks of being transformed by the renewing of our minds in his letter to the Romans.

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. ~ Romans 12:1-2

In Ephesians Paul speaks of being renewed in the spirit of our minds. When our hearts turn to the Lord there is an ongoing state of repentance (a change through renewal of our minds) which stays with us for the rest of our lives because we are consecrated to the Lord for his purposes.

To reduce repentance down to a one time decision of changing your mind from unbelief to belief as if salvation is the result of a mental decision is to miss the teachings of scripture entirely. Yet this is exactly what some are doing and the result is many are becoming scoffers at any thought of repentance of sin which they claim is a work and somehow is in opposition to the work of Christ.

Allow me to say it another way to make it plain. Those who hold such views do not believe that salvation has anything to do with turning from sin to Christ so as to live for the glory of God and Christ. On the contrary, that which is being advanced by this free grace theology is that belief (which is a mental decision) saves you from the penalty of your sins, even if you choose to go on living in ungodliness and wickedness. For all intents and purposes, salvation through belief in Jesus is (according to this theology) a get out of hell for free, card. The purpose

True salvation is not a get out of hell free card, it is deliverance from the powers of darkness and reconciliation to God. And it begins in this life. True salvation is freedom from sin through Jesus Christ with the promise of life in the world to come.

The belief that repentance is nothing more than a decisional change of the mind fails to acknowledge that salvation is a matter of belief from the heart, for it is with the heart that man believes unto righteousness.

But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:) Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead. But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. ~ Romans 10:6-11

True belief in Jesus comes from the heart, and when the heart turns to Christ, there is cleansing from sin and thus a change in the way one thinks about sin. For this reason, Paul says to the Romans, Shall we go on sinning that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we who are dead to sin live any longer therein? ~ Romans 6:1-2

Notice the expectation of Paul regarding how a believer ought to think with regards to sin.

A saved person has become dead to sin through their union with Christ (when their heart turned to the Lord), thus a change in their thinking follows, especially regarding sin. We are to consider ourselves as being dead to sin and alive to God through Jesus Christ. This is what repentance of sin actually looks like. We believe in Jesus to deliver us from the power of darkness and to save us from our sins. Thus we change how we live because we begin to think differently after our heart turns to the Lord. How can we not think differently about sin if our heart has truly turned to the Lord? 

True repentance is the change that occurs after something else happens – namely, the turning of the heart to the Lord. It is not a casual change of  your mind. It involves purpose and is actually the change of mind that happens afterwards (after the heart has turned to the Lord).

Faith in Jesus (turning our hearts to the Lord) causes our thinking (our minds) to change. That is what repentance is. The mind is changed because of the work of the Holy Spirit in the heart. Salvation is not the result of a mental change of the mind, but the result of a changed heart by the power of God, which causes us to think differently. When this happens we turn from our sins to no longer live therein, but live instead, in union with Christ through faith. 

Again, true repentance is not simply a mental change of our mind, but a change in our thinking that is caused by something else, namely the work of the Spirit of God in our hearts.

While repentance does involve a changed mind, the outworking of repentance has the expression of turning from a life of disobedience to obedience because of our faith towards God.

The biblical teaching of repentance as a change in our thinking is a far cry from the change of mind which is preached by those who advocate free grace theology. Whereas free grace theology claims that repentance is decisional (to change from unbelief to belief), while at the same time disparaging repentance from sin as a work, the repentance of scripture is a new way of thinking that leads us out of living in sin to living in righteousness.  

True Biblical repentance has to do with the purpose and motives of the hearts. It is not simply a mental exercise, in which one casually changes their mind as we often do in everyday activities. True repentance is a change in our thinking that results from the inward work of the Holy Spirit within the heart.

This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart. Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. But ye have not so learned Christ; If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. ~ Ephesians 4:17-24

In the text above, the gentiles who do not know God walk after the vanity of their minds, and their understanding of God is darkened because of the blindness of their hearts.

One cannot come to repentance (having a changed mind afterwards), without the heart first enlightened by the power of Christ. It is with the heart that man believes the gospel, affecting a change in the way one thinks afterwards. This is faith and repentance. True faith is accompanied with repentance (a changed mind afterwards – after the heart has turned to the Lord).

Paul says of the unrepentant Gentiles in the world that they are “past feeling and have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.” The NIV translation of the Bible says, Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they are full of greed.

Paul then reminds them that this is not what they had learned concerning Christ, and that they were to put off the old man with his deeds and put on the new man in Christ, and Paul refers to this as being renewed in the spirit of their minds (i.e., repentance).

But ye have not so learned Christ; If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. ~ v. 20-24

When anyone comes to the Lord, there is a desire to serve God and to live a life that is pleasing to him, but as we all know, we still have to manage the carnal desires of our fleshly nature, and this is where the walk of sanctification comes in. When we are born again, our minds change regarding sin and disobedience, but as we live out our faith, there is a war within our members (our flesh) which is at war against our minds, thus the life of faith coincides with a continual renewal of our minds.

Paul refers to the putting off of the old man (denying our fleshly desires), and putting on the new man (yielding to God to live according to the Spirit), as being renewed in the spirit of our minds.

Peter says something similar when he tells us, Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. ~ 1 Peter 1:13-16

This is the work of ongoing repentance (the change of our minds) in the life of a believer and its unfortunate that there are Pastors who teach that no repentance of sin is necessary for eternal life, but simply a changed mind (a one time mental decision). Yet according to Peter, we are to hope for the grace we are to receive at the coming of Christ by girding the loins of our minds by not living according to our former lusts in the times of our ignorance.

Our former lusts is a reference to our old lives before Christ and the times of our ignorance is a reference to our being in unbelief and sin. Anyone willing to submit to the truth of God can easily come to the understanding that true repentance which accompanies faith is turning from sin (our old life) and following Christ in obedience. This is what salvation looks like when it take hold of one’s heart. 

True repentance is not a casual change of the mind like one would change their mind about eating a hamburger instead of pizza for lunch. The changed mind is not caused by the will of the flesh.

But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. ~ John 1:12-13

The changed mind that is repentance, is the result of a heart encounter with Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit. It is the result of the will of God being received in the heart, and those who yield to the will of God have a changed mind afterwards that causes them to pursue the things that please God.

When Paul tells the Ephesians to put off the old man and be renewed in the spirit of their minds, the result is the new man in Christ.

That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbor: for we are members one of another. ~ v 22-25

Notice the change that Paul speaks of. This is the changed mind which is repentance in action. Paul says to put away lying and speak the truth. Yet there are many Western Christians who are being taught that one does not have to stop lying to be saved, because that would mean they are saved by works. 

Many of these same people are the ones who will scoff at the notion of repentance of sin, claiming that repentance only means to change their mind, and turning from sin is a work. Yet, the repentance of scripture has works that follow because true repentance changes a person’s behavior and lifestyle. One cannot claim to have repented if there is no change in how they live and behave.

Turning from sin is embedded in the foundation of our faith. One cannot know the life of God if they do not turn from sin. This is why  Paul speaks of the Gentiles who do not know God and who walk after the vanity of their minds with their foolish hearts darkened and being alienated from the life of God.

Westernized Christianity is in a lot of trouble with its war against repentance of sin. It is a war they will not win because it is waged against the truth of the Living God.

Paul continues by telling the Ephesians the following:

Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil. Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labor, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you. ~ Ephesians 4:22-32

The Westernized teaching of free grace theology would consider these words in the text above as optional and having nothing to do with salvation, even though Paul will go on to warn in the verses to come not to be deceived by such words. No one who has truly repented (changed their mind as a result of their heart turning to the Lord) can read the words above and consider them optional. If Christ has changed your heart, your life belongs to him and you are compelled by His Holy Spirit to live according to the life of Christ. 

Belief without true repentance which leads to obedience, will not save you. The gospel requires a turning from disobedience to obedience. This does not mean that one has to live a perfect life to be saved, but it does mean that one cannot continue to rebel in their hearts against God and think that they have eternal life. Not being under bondage does not mean that you are free to beat your wife and sleep with your neighbor’s. Such ignorance will purchase you a one way ticket to eternal destruction.

As believers we never have to live in fear of not measuring up, because Christ is our salvation. However, we ought to have the fear of the Lord that restrains us from wilful sin and wickedness. And therein is the difference. Saved people have the fear of the Lord in them. If you can live in sin with no fear of God, you are very dangerous grounds. 

Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied. ~ Peter 1:2

According to the apostle Paul, the Israelites who rejected Christ, did not “obey the gospel” ~ Romans 10:16, and we who believe were set free from sin when we obeyed from the heart. ~ Romans 6:17

If a person has not turned from ungodliness, and changed their mind to live in obedience to God rather than living in disobedience, they are not saved. They are deceived. Saved people have an abiding conviction in their hearts to do what is right in the sight of God. Again, this does not mean they live in perfect obedience every minute of every day, but it means there is an abiding desire to please God that rules their hearts. 

John the Baptist preached to the people to “bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance…” ~ Matthew 3:8. The New Living Translation says, Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God.

True repentance turns us from a life of disobedience to obedience, and our mind is renewed so that we no longer have an excuse to justify sin. When Paul confronted the Corinthians about the sin of fornication in their midst, Paul chided them because they had not “mourned.” Unfortunately there are some Pastors and Christians that would refer to mourning or having sorrow regarding sin as works.

Yet according to the apostle Paul, the sin of fornication which was going on in the midst of the Corinthians should have grieved them, but it hadn’t. After Paul’s correction they did repent and in 2 Corinthians 7:8-11 Paul speaks about their repentance referring to it as godly sorrow which brought about a carefulness within them and clearing of themselves, and an indignation, a reverence, and zeal for what is right. These are the effects that true repentance has on the soul, and you can’t get this from just a causal changing of the mind. The change of mind that true repentance brings produces these qualities mentioned above.

If a person doesn’t have an abiding conviction for doing right and obeying the Lord, there truly has not been the change of mind that true repentance brings.

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up. ~ James 4:7-10

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, To God’s holy people in Colossae, the faithful brothers and sisters in Christ: Grace and peace to you from God our Father. ~ Colossians 1:1-2 NIV

Notice that Paul’s letter is to God’s holy people. The KJV says saints. Saved people are called to be saints, (i.e., holy). Paul says in his introduction to the Corinthians, Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both their’s and our’s…

Those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus are called to be saints (to be holy). The NIV says, called to be his holy people. In 1 Peter we read, But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy. ~ 1 Peter 1:15-16

Christians are called to holiness. To be holy means to be set apart, and the epistles in the New Testament repeatedly speak on this theme. You find it in almost every introduction of Paul’s letters. In Colossians, Paul not only refers to them as God’s holy people, but also as the faithful brothers and sisters in Christ.

Not only are we called to be holy, but we are also called to be faithful. Paul says the same thing to the Ephesians when he writes, Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus… ~ Ephesians 1:1

The words found in the book of Ephesians belong to the faithful in Christ Jesus, as do the words in Colossians. Yet it is becoming all too common that faithfulness to God is being dismissed by some as “works” and not necessary for salvation, but salvation calls us to be faithful to God and to Christ. A salvation message that doesn’t call you to faithfulness isn’t salvation from God or Christ. Being faithful to God doesn’t mean that you are perfect, just as being faithful to your spouse doesn’t mean you are perfect either. Being faithful means you are committed for the long haul and you will be found trustworthy.

Trustworthiness is the key to understanding faithfulness. God is completely trustworthy, and salvation calls us into a walk in which we become trustworthy to the Lord. This is evident in what Paul says to the Colossians next.

We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all God’s people— the faith and love that spring from the hope stored up for you in heaven and about which you have already heard in the true message of the gospel that has come to you. In the same way, the gospel is bearing fruit and growing throughout the whole world—just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and truly understood God’s grace. You learned it from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf, and who also told us of your love in the Spirit. ~ Colossians 1:3-8 NIV

The faithfulness of the Colossians moved Paul to pray for them. Consider how trustworthy the Colossians had been in their faith towards God. Paul even tells them that they truly understood God’s grace. If our faithfulness to God doesn’t in some way resemble the attributes that Paul describes regarding the faith of the Colossians, it may be that we do not yet understand God’s grace as we should.

Are we known by our faith? Not as some religious person, but do others see our faithfulness to God? Are we trustworthy people? Is there integrity in our claim to be God’s people? Are others inspired to pray for us, or give thanks for us when they hear of our faith? Is our faith (our holy lifestyle, our faithfulness to God) a shining light that others can see? It was for the Colossians, and the rich truths contained in this short epistle belong to all who are God’s holy and faithful people.

Pray with me.

Holy Father, you are faithful. Grant to me, that I too might be faithful, that my faith in you might be seen by others in a manner that glorifies you and draws others to seek after you. Open to me the rich treasure of what it truly means to be holy and to be faithful, and grant me the grace I need to grow in holiness and faithfulness that you may be glorified in your Son, Jesus.

In Christ Name, Thank you Holy Father.

Then God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God relented from the disaster that He had said He would bring upon them, and He did not do it. ~ Jonah 3:10

Some among the Free grace advocates like to point to Jonah 3:10 and argue that turning from sin is a work, and since we are not saved by works, repentance has no part in our saving faith. This logic is very flawed because we find that the New Testament speaks of faith as a work as well.

Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent. ~ John 6:29

Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father … ~ 1 Thessalonians 1:3

Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power… ~ 2 Thessalonians 1:11

Furthermore, in the gospels, Jesus references the repentance of Nineveh to whom Jonah preached as a warning against those who refused to repent and believe the gospel during his generation.

The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here. ~ Matthew 12:41 (See also Luke 11:32)

Ironically, Matthew 12:41 & Luke 11:32 would be one of the verses the FG adherents would claim means a change of mind only because those texts do not explicitly mention sin, although sin is the context of the repentance. 

But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils. And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand: And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand? And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your children cast them out? therefore they shall be your judges. But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you. Or else how can one enter into a strong man’s house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? and then he will spoil his house. He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad. Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men. And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come. Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit. O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things. But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned. Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee. But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas: For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here. The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for she came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here. When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none. Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished. Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation. ~ Matthew 12:24-45

From the context above we can see that the repentance of Nineveh, to which Jesus holds his generation accountable, parallels their sinful and wicked ways. Jesus wasn’t just speaking about making a quick decision to believe he was the Messiah, he was comforting the manner of people they were. Thus he calls them an evil and adulterous generation, and says that the men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here. 

UNREPENTANT BELIEF

And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost. But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God. Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee. For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity. Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the Lord for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me. ~ Acts 8:8-24

Recently, as I skimmed through a “documentary” in opposition to repentance in relation to believing in Christ, a Free Grace Pastor claimed that when Simon asked Peter to pray for him he was actually saying “pray to the Lord that I don’t become bitter because of this, that I don’t get enwrapped in the bond of iniquity.”

That’s actually not what the scripture says. Simon did not ask Peter to pray for him not become bitter and enwrapped in the bond of iniquity. Peter told him that he was already in the gall of bitterness and the bond of iniquity.

In another article on this topic I shared the following regarding the gall of bitterness.

The bitterest grief; extreme affliction. The ancients taught that grief and joy were subject to the gall, affection to the heart, knowledge to the kidneys, anger to the bile (one of the four humours of the body), and courage or timidity to the liver. The gall of bitterness, like the heart of hearts, means the bitter centre of bitterness, as the heart of hearts means the innermost recesses of the heart or affections. In the Acts it is used to signify “the sinfulness of sin,” which leads to the bitterest grief. ~ Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, E. Cobham Brewer, 1894

This was no small matter. Simon had lost his influence over the people, and could no longer bewitch them. Even though he believed and had been baptized, he was a false convert who rather than having a new heart, cleansed by the blood of Christ, was in the gall of bitterness and bond of iniquity.

Now, I know that is unpopular to say, especially with those who believe that no repentance is necessary to be saved. Understand this: if you are saved, your attitude towards sin changes because you become a new creature in Christ.

What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. ~ Romans 6:1-4

Those who are saved are not trying to make excuses for sin, those who are saved want to live above sin, in godliness and truth, just as the Psalmist says in relation to repentance, “ thou desirest truth in the inward parts.”

With regards to Simon the Sorcerer, another FG minister made the following statement, “And you know what Simon says? He says, man I want you to pray for me, that none of these things happen to me.” He says he’s sorry. I mean right away he completely repents of it.

This minister then extrapolates how Simon realizes he was just acting foolishly and admits he (Simon) was wrong. The minister then inserted into the text that Simon said, “I was wrong.” Then the FG minister says, “so we see that he has a good heart.”

Did Simon have a good heart? Not according to the apostle Peter who said to him, Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.

Even though Simon did believe the things preached by Philip and was baptized, he never turned from his sorcery. He had for a long time bewitched the people, and if he were to truly follow Jesus as a disciple, he would have to turn from his sorcery. Thus Peter rebukes him regarding this.

Simon offered the apostles money for the gift of God because his heart was not right with God, not because he just said something stupid, being a baby Christian. Simon was still steeped in the sin of sorcery, and because he wanted to use the gift of God in the same manner he had bewitched the people with sorcery, Peter rebuked him.

According to Peter, the following were true regarding Simon.

1. He had no part or lot in this matter. In other words he wasn’t qualified to receive or minister to others the gift of the Holy Spirit.

2. His heart was not right in the sight of God. He had not had a true conversion. Belief without turning from your old ways is not true faith. 

3. He had not repented of his sorcery (repent of this, thy wickedness).

4. He needed forgiveness from God.

5. He was in the gall of bitterness and the bond of Iniquity.

It’s important for us to grasp what Peter is saying when he tells Simon, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.

Notice that Peter says to Simon, Thy money perish with thee. Simon was not saved. He was going to perish without repentance of his sorcery and the reason for that was that he thought the gift of God could be purchased with money.

Simon’s belief in the things that Philip preached was in the unrepentant mindset of sorcery. His pursuit was all wrong. When Peter tells him Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter, it was an indictment against him that he wasn’t saved and in God’s kingdom.

Now, in contrast to what Peter says to Simon, consider his words to those who were repented on the day of Pentecost.

Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. ~ Acts 2:37-39

In Acts 2, Peter had preached to his Jewish kinsmen that they were culprits in condemning Jesus to death and rejecting him as the Messiah. Consequently, they were pricked in their hearts. A more accurate description is pierced. Its usage in the Greek is, I am pierced, stung, smitten. In other words, they were smitten with conviction and as a result they asked Peter, what shall we do?

In response, Peter tells them to repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ and they would receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. This is in stark contrast to what Peter told Simon the Sorcerer, Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.

Unlike those in Acts 2, Simon the Sorcerer had not yet repented and turned to Christ in his heart. Understand this, it is entirely possible to believe and yet be unchanged because you refuse to turn your heart to the Lord. Such belief will not profit you in the day of Christ.

Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God. ~ John 12:42-43

Were these chief rulers who believed on Jesus saved? Absolutely not, because they were ashamed to publicly confess their belief in him, and they desired the praise of men more than the praise of God.

In John 8, some of the very same Jews who momentarily believed in Jesus were the very ones who in the same setting turned on him and took up stones to stone him.

Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things. And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him. As he spake these words, many believed on him. Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. They answered him, We be Abraham’s seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free? Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever. If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.  ~ John 8:28-32

The Jews in this reference who believed, were not some bystanders listening to his dialogue with other Jews. They were some of the very ones who began to question Jesus when he said, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. It was these same Jews (who momentarily believed in him,) who became angry when Jesus began to address their sin.

The confrontation became so sharp that John tells us, Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by. ~ John 8:59

Belief in Jesus which leads to salvation is belief that he is truly the Son of God and that kind of belief turns the heart to the Lord.

But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart. Nevertheless when it (the heart) shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away. Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. ~ 2 Corinthians 3:15-18

Repentance is turning our heart to the Lord and when we do, we are changed into his image from glory to glory by the Spirit of Lord. From glory to glory means we grow more and more into his glorious likeness by the Spirit of the Lord, whose work in our hearts is to conform us into the image and likeness of Jesus. Freedom in Christ is not found in not repenting of sin, it’s found in true repentance of sin, because true repentance is a work of grace in the heart by the Holy Spirit. Neither Simon the Sorcerer in Acts 8, the chief rulers in John 12, or the Jews in John 8 had repentant hearts. Yet they all had unrepentant belief with unchanged hearts.

In recent weeks I have been writing on themes that pertain to our great salvation, and countering some of the egregious errors that are being taught regarding salvation. In particular, the teachings of Free Grace ( FG) theology.

Within this theology salvation does not require repentance of sin or any commitment to follow Christ. Repentance of sin is actually thought by some who advocate FG theology to be a heresy and a false gospel, because repentance of sin is deemed to be a work which adds to the finished work of Christ. Their logic is that since Jesus paid the price for sin, all that is required is belief in Jesus and Heaven is guaranteed regardless if the person repents of sin or not. 

This is problematic when you follow this teaching to its logical conclusion.  A person living in adultery, or as a rapist, or as a child abducting human trafficker, or a serial killer can believe that Jesus paid the price for their sin  and be granted eternal life, even if they never turn from their sins.

This however, is a mockery of the true gospel and undermines the truth of the character of a Holy God who gave his Son to save us from our sins. Teaching people that they will go to Heaven by believing, even if they refuse to turn from their sins and follow Jesus, is not free grace. It is the equivalent to free loading.

Heaven is not a hand out for wicked people to get a free pass while they continue to live in unrepentant sin. Paul says to the Ephesians, For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. ~ Ephesians 5:5-6

To the Corinthians, Paul says following:

Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. ~ 1 Corinthians 6:9-10

Paul then follows these words by saying, And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. ~ v.11

Notice that being saved is being washed, sanctified, and justified from our sins, both in the name of the Lord and by the Spirit of our God. A person who is on the prowl to abduct children to traffic is not washed, sanctified, or justified. Neither is the man who is actively cheating on his wife with another woman, nor is the one who is getting wealthy cheating the elderly out of their life’s savings. I could go on, but hopefully you get the point.

Saved people are changed people, and saved people have a conviction to live godly because they have turned from their sins through their faith in Jesus Christ. But this is not the salvation taught within FG theology.

Consider the following response that a FG advocate gave to the scripture that says, let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity. In response the FG advocate commented, “Not to be saved, but to be disciples. Rightly divide the word of truth, do you know what that means? “

The rationale behind this statement, and others similar to it is that if a person believes that they must stop living in sin to be saved, they are adding to the finished work of Christ. According to the FG theology that I have observed, being saved has absolutely nothing to do with deliverance or redemption from the actual sins in a person’s life. The emphasis is on the penalty for those sins after death. In other words, salvation from sin (in FG theology) doesn’t mean I stop living in sin to live for Christ, it means I will not be judged for my sins, even if I refuse to live for Christ and remain a drunkard, fornicator, or murderer, etc.

When the commenter mentioned above says, “Not to be saved, but to be disciples,” he is claiming that you do not have to depart from iniquity to be saved, only if you choose to be a disciple. Yet Paul tells us that Jesus gave himself for us to redeem us from all iniquity and to purify us unto himself as purchased people zealous of good works.

This mindset that separates some as saved only and others as disciples, is what motivated me to write the article I recently titled,  The Call to Discipleship. In no way did I cover all that the New Testament teaches about discipleship, but let me be clear, if you refuse to be a disciple of Jesus, and you think you can live in unrepentant sin and go to Heaven, you are deceived.

Being a disciple of Jesus is not optional for believers. Those who were saved in the book of Acts became disciples, and Paul’s letters to the churches were addressed to the saints (God’s set apart people, i.e., disciples). Becoming a disciple may be optional within FG theology, but it isn’t in gospel according to the scriptures. You will not find a subset of saved people who refuse to repent of sin, and refuse to be disciples of Jesus who have eternal life abiding in them, anywhere in the New Testament!

The commission of the gospel, which we often refer to as the great commission, is to make disciples of all nations, because saved people become disciples. If that bothers you, take it up with Jesus, because I am going to tell you the truth. I refuse to stand by and not condemn this FG theology, which is actually teaching people they can free load at the expense of the grace of God. And that is not the gospel!

The complaint that many FG advocates have with people like me who preach and teach repentance of sin, is their claim that the word repent means to change your mind, and they love to point out that God repented multiple times in the Old Testament by making claims such as one the one below.

I searched repent and didn’t find anywhere in the bible where it says “repent of sin(s)” or “of your sin”. And God repents the most. Man added “of sin” to the word.

Now, I plan to cover the topic of God repenting (changing his course of action) in a future article, but for now I want to stay focused on repentance of sin. As a Bible teacher who’s been offering apologetics for a long time, allow me to explain what’s wrong with the argument, “I searched repent and didn’t find anywhere in the bible where it says “repent of sin(s)” or “of your sin”.

I am sure you will not find the phrase “stop committing adultery” anywhere in the Bible, but that doesn’t mean that adulterers should not stop, or that the Bible doesn’t oppose adultery. Repenting of sin is affirmed often throughout the Bible, and to deny that fact because a phrase (cherry picked) isn’t found in your search, is just being lazy.

My apologies if I sound a little annoyed, but people need to do better when making such claims.

In 2 Corinthians 12:21 Paul expresses his grief concerning those who have not repented of the uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness which they have committed.

Is uncleanness sin? Sure it is. What about fornication? Absolutely! How about lasciviousness? You know it is. These are all sins that Paul was concerned that the Corinthians had not repented of.

In Acts 8, Peter confronted Simon the Sorcerer, telling him to, Repent therefore of this thy wickedness (v. 22). Simon’s wickedness of which Peter is telling him to repent is sorcery. Is the wickedness of sorcery sin? Sure it is.

Now consider the following from Revelation 9

And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk: Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts. ~ v. 20-21

Is worshiping devils sin? What about murder, sorcery, fornication, and theft?

This is exactly why those who make claims like the one highlighted above, which says, “I searched repent and didn’t find anywhere in the bible where it says “repent of sin(s)” or “of your sin”, are being disingenuous. If you truly run a search on all the texts in the Bible that speak of repent, repentance, etc., you would come across the verses which speak of repentance of sin. 

Furthermore, if a person were to do a search on verses which refer to repentance, which doesn’t necessarily use the word repent, they would find even more texts that speak of repenting of sin. For example, consider Isaiah 55:6-7 and Proverbs 28:13.

Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. ~ Isaiah 55:6-7

He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy. ~ Proverbs 28:13

It doesn’t take a theologian to see that both of these texts above speak of repentance. Forsaking your sin, and returning to the Lord is repentance. Confessing your sins, and forsaking them is repentance.

Even though these verses do not use the phrase, repent of your sins, or the words, repent and repentance, they clearly teach repentance of sins. Repentance of sin is a major theme in the Bible. In fact much of the entire chapter of Psalm 51 has to do with repentance of sin. Consider for example, the first 4 verses.

Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest. ~ Psalm 51:1-4

If we’d continue to read all 19 verses of Psalm 51 we would learn a lot about repentance. Allow me to highlight a few things we would learn. In his repentance, the Psalmist says, thou desirest truth in the inward parts (v.6).

True repentance leads to a heart of integrity in the sight of God, and true repentance seeks to have such a heart of integrity.

In verses 10 -12 the Psalmist says Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy Holy Spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.

Repentance leads to a clean heart and a right spirit, and causes the joy of salvation to be experienced. Now, notice what the Psalmist says next, once his heart has been made clean and a right spirit has been renewed in him.

Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee. ~ v.13

In his repentant state, asking to be made clean and right in his heart, the Psalmist says, “then” will I teach transgressors thy ways. God’s ways are for transgressors to repent and sinners to be converted. Teaching people that they can be saved without repentance is not teaching them God’s ways.

Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. ~ James 1:12

Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. ~ 1 Peter 1:6-9

There are so many ways in which the Bible sheds light on who will be saved and who will not, that we often read right past those verses. Consider with me the 2 references cited above.

James tells us, Blessed is the man that endureth temptation. One who falls away from the Lord and no longer follows or believes in him did not endure temptation. In Luke 8, Jesus gives the parable of the sower and according to Jesus this parable has to do with those who are saved.

Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away. ~ Luke 8:12-13

Now consider what James says in view of what Jesus says in this parable of the sower. James says the man who endures temptation (this is in contrast to the person who falls away in the time of temptation), will receive a crown of life which the Lord has promised them that love him.

The crown of life is the reward for those who love the Lord, and loving God is that which produces enduring faith. We endure suffering, hardships, and difficult times because we love God. Now consider this in view of what Peter tells us, by reading Peter’s words again.

Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. ~ 1 Peter 1:6-9

Notice that Peter tells us that the reward for the end of our faith (after our faith has been tried by various temptations) is the salvation of our souls. In the middle of this exhortation is our love for Jesus, “Whom having not seen, ye love…” Following these words Peter says, “in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory.”

The words yet believing, is a reference to the continuation of our faith in the midst of various trials (temptations), and it is love for God and Christ that grows out of our commitment to the Lord that causes our faith to grow and become strong so that we endure in faith in the time of testing.

Being tried, tested, and enduring suffering does not mean God is against you. Jesus said, In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. ~ John 16:33, And John tells us,  For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. ~ 1 John 5:4

The faith that overcomes the world is not faith that burns out because of a lack of commitment, it is faith that preserves because we love Jesus. This enduring faith leads us away from the sins of the flesh and more perfectly into living to the will of God.

Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. ~ 1 Peter 4:1-2

Blessings…

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen. ~ Matthew 28:19-20

These words have often been referred to as the Great Commission, and rightfully so. Some translations say, make disciples, whereas the KJV says, teach all nations.

The mission of the gospel given to the apostles by Jesus was not to solicit decisions in which a moment of belief insures a person is going to Heaven. You will never see such a commission given by Jesus, nor will you ever see Jesus eager for others to make an uncommitted decision of belief.

We have examples in the gospels of those who came to Jesus enquiring about eternal life, and Jesus always set before them commitment in one form or another. Consider for example, the rich young ruler who asked Jesus how to have eternal life.

And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet? Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me. But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions. ~ Matthew 19:16-22

Unfortunately, in much of today’s evangelical circles, this man would have been told he only needs to believe in Jesus and he’s going to Heaven, and serving Jesus isn’t a requirement because that would mean salvation by works. On the contrary, if we truly believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, our belief in him will be our motivation to follow him. One who refuses to become Jesus’s disciples has the wrong motive for “believing” and has embraced hypocrisy rather than genuine, authentic faith.

Making disciples is the heartbeat of true evangelism. The problem with much of today’s evangelism is that Heaven is the reward instead of Jesus. Faith has become a sort of spiritual life insurance policy rather than embracing the faith which is to become a disciple of Jesus. 

Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God. ~ John 12: 42-43

According to the gospels, the rulers played a major part in condemning Jesus to death, not many days later. And these chief rulers did not confess Jesus (even though they believed), because they would have been put out of the synagogue like the man born blind whom Jesus healed in John 9. They loved the praise of men more than the praise of God. 

In the New Testament, we find no subset of believers on their way to Heaven who refuse to follow Jesus as his disciple. Being a disciple doesn’t mean that you have it all together and that you don’t have some areas in your life that need addressing. Being a disciple means you are committed to following Jesus for the rest of your life, and over the process of time, you grow in knowledge, wisdom, and grace. When we see you 5 or 10 years from now, you are more like Jesus than you are today. That’s discipleship!

In Acts 2, three thousand souls were added to the church and began living as disciples, and from Pentecost onward the church continued to grow until there was a multitude of believers who were all referred to as disciples.

And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables. Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word. And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch: Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them. And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith. ~ Acts 6:1-7 

Notice that even among the disciples, they were to choose from among them, those who were of impeccable character: brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.

Among this multitude of disciples there were some who had just begun their journey in the faith, and others who had not yet grown in grace to the level that others had, yet they were all disciples following Jesus.

Again, being a disciple doesn’t mean you are perfect, or have it all together. It simply means that you are committed to Jesus, and growing in your faith becoming more like him over time, because Christ changes how you live.

Even though they were all at different levels of growth in the Lord, they all had one thing in common: they were obedient to the faith.

The faith which Jesus entrusted to his apostles when he commissioned them to go and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, is the call of discipleship.

In Romans 1, Paul speaks of obedience to the faith saying, By whom (Jesus) we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name… ~ Romans 1:5

Paul, who was formerly Saul of Tarsus, had persecuted the disciples of the Lord Jesus before his conversion. There is no text that tells us that Paul persecuted people who believed in Jesus, but didn’t follow Christ. Paul was out to stop the growth of the faith through the disciples of Jesus.

And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest… ~ Acts 9:1

Disciples are the ones through whom the Kingdom of God is advanced in this world because they are the ones who follow Jesus in obedience to him as their Master. The one who claims to believe but refuses to follow, is no threat to the kingdom of darkness. Disciples gain a reputation as did the disciples in Antioch who were the first to be called Christians, which associated them with Christ.

And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch. ~ Acts 11:26

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. ~ Ephesians 2:8-9

You may be surprised to learn that this is a resurrection statement that has to do with new life in Christ.

That’s right, Ephesians 2:8-9 is a resurrection verse. Allow me to prove it to you by examining with me, the context and flow of thought in which these words are said. Let’s begin with verse 15 of the previous chapter because chapter 2 begins in mid thought of what is already being said.

Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places …

Now let’s pause for just a moment and notice the words in bold. Paul is praying for the Ephesians to have revelation of the exceeding greatness of God’s power towards us who believe. And this power is according to the working of his mighty power, which he demonstrated in Christ, when he raised him from the dead.

Notice that Paul’s emphasis is believing on the One who raised Jesus from the dead. Paul uses this same language elsewhere in his letters as well.

But for us also, to whom it (righteousness) shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead… ~ Romans 4:24

That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. ~ Romans 10:9

Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. ~ Colossians 2:12

Now, certainly we are to have faith in Jesus because the New Testament speaks often of faith in Christ. However, I want to specifically point out that Paul expressively speaks of the work that God accomplished in raising Christ from the dead. This work of God is the context of the saved by grace statements in Ephesians.

Paul not only wants us to know what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, but Paul adds: and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, which is a point of emphasis in Paul’s letter to the Ephesians.

Let’s continue:

Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all. And you hath he quickened (made alive), who were dead in trespasses and sins…

Notice that Paul first speaks of Christ being raised from the dead and now he says, And you hath he quickened (made alive), who were dead in trespasses and sins. In Christ Jesus, the one who believes has been made alive from being dead in his trespasses and sins. This is the grace by which we are saved. It is being made alive and raised to new life in Christ out of sin and death! 

Let’s continue.

Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation (lifestyle) in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:

Did you notice that? Look at it again: Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)…

Let me say it again, the grace by which we are saved is specifically referring to being made alive with Christ out of being dead in our trespasses and sins.

Let’s continue:

That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.

How often do we fixate on the part that says, not of works? This is especially emphasized by those who embrace doctrines such as Free Grace theology and use this verse as an eternal life insurance policy. Notice that Paul first says, not of yourselves. It is not of ourselves because we were all dead in our trespasses and sins. It is God who gives us life, thus it cannot be of ourselves.

In Galatians Paul drawing a distinction between the righteousness that is in Christ Jesus and the righteousness which comes by the works of the law says, Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law. ~ Galatians 3:21

The issue of being saved by grace and justified by faith is an issue of being raised to new life in Christ from our old life of being dead in sins. This is why it is such an insult to the truth of God when Christians choose to believe that they can have a moment of belief and go on sinning and still have the blessing of eternal life in God’s Kingdom after they die.

Notice again what Paul says in 2:2-3, Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation (lifestyle) in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

There are some Christians, and Christian ministers that will argue that you can go on living according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, and in the lusts of our flesh, and maintain eternal security. In fact Ephesians 2:8-9 is one of the “go -to” texts they’ll cite to defend this view, yet the saving grace that Paul is referring to has raised us up with Christ out of such living!

Now notice what Paul says right after telling us that we are saved by grace (which is being made alive together with Christ and seated with him in heavenly places).

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. ~ v.10

Now let’s take a moment and consider this verse in view of being made alive with Christ. Paul says we are God’s workmanship. This is a reference to the exceeding greatness of his power that Paul prays that the Ephesians would know. Now, I want you to notice what follows: created in Christ Jesus unto good works.

We are created in Christ Jesus for the purpose of good works. These two (created in Christ Jesus and good works) are inseparable. If you are in Christ Jesus, if you have been given new life in Christ, you are created anew in Christ, by God, for good works. Now, I want you to see what is said next and pay close attention to the word in bold.

…which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

The good works that Paul is referring to are not religious observances. He’s talking about a Christ-like life that we are to walk in. This is the opposite of walking according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, and fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind.

Now consider Paul’s words from Colossians 3.

If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them. But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him… ~ Colossians 3:1-3

Notice the language of being risen with Christ and putting off the sins of the flesh that we once walked in. Paul’s words are not merely a suggestion for good Christian living which have no bearing on one’s salvation. They are the teachings of saving grace. In Titus 2, Paul tells us that saving grace teaches us to deny ungodliness and worldly lust and to live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world.

For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. ~ Titus 2:11-14

Paul then tells Titus, These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee. ~ v. 15

Now, I could keep going because there are more scriptures to cover, but I want to say something now that I would urge you to consider. I have notice that many Christians have a very unhealthy understanding of the meaning of the finished work of Christ. Typically they will say something like this:

I am saved because of the finished work of Christ. There is nothing I can do to add or take away from Christ’s finished work. I simply receive it by faith and I am saved. It doesn’t matter how I live, godly or sinful because my works cannot save me. My salvation is eternally secure because I have the promise of eternal life.

This way of thinking has gotten so out of hand that there are some Pastors who now teach against repentance of sin, and some Christians are argue for their version of grace from the position of the freedom to sin. Yet Paul says to the Romans, Shall we continue to sin that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we who are dead to sin live any longer therein? ~ Romans 1:1-2

Allow me to be abundantly clear, the finished work of Christ is the work of redemption in Christ which God completed through his death, burial, and resurrection. When Jesus uttered the words “it is finished” from the cross, he was referring to the work God sent him to accomplish. If you will simply follow all the references in the Gospel of John where Jesus speaks of the work that the Father sent him to accomplish, this comes abundantly clear.

The finished work of redemption in Christ was not yet complete when Jesus died on the cross, for if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. ~ 1 Corinthians 15:17

The finish work of redemption in Christ includes his death, burial, and resurrection along with his exaltation at the right hand of God. The resurrection isn’t just about coming out of the tomb, it’s also about being exalted victoriously at the right hand of God. And when God raised us up together with Christ and seated us with Christ in heavenly places, it wasn’t only about giving us life from sin and death. It was about victory over sin and the powers of darkness which previously held us captive.

For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ. ~ Romans 5:17

Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son… ~ Colossians 1:12-13

We are victorious over the power of sin because of God’s grace.

For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. ~ Romans 6:10-15

Whenever anyone argues that they can go on sinning and not lose their salvation because of grace through the finished work of Christ, they are contradicting the teachings of scripture and practicing hypocrisy. In Titus, Paul speaks of those who profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate. ~ Titus 1:16

When a person is saved by the grace of God, they are given a new heart and a new spirit, and they become the temple of God’s Holy Spirit, so that they can now walk in new life bearing fruit for the glory of our Father in Heaven.

The evidence of true faith in the finished work of Christ is that the same God who raised Jesus from the dead, has raised us up with him, and now lives in us to give us victory over the old life he redeemed us out of.

Those who are saved by grace ought to be living by the grace that saved them.

I was saved on a Thursday evening, April 3, 1980 after hearing Billy Graham preach the gospel. I did not know what words to pray. I waited in hopes that there would be someone to lead the viewing audience in a salvation prayer before the broadcast concluded. I was 14 years old at the time, and had been raised in church, but did not know how to pray for salvation. All I knew is that I was a sinner and headed to hell. The Holy Spirit gripped my heart with holy fear concerning my lost condition. 

Once there was no prayer for the viewing audience to pray for salvation, I got up out of the chair I was sitting in, went to my bedroom, closed the door, and got down on my knees and surrendered my life to Jesus the best I knew how. I cried out for forgiveness.

I prayed in response to the conviction I was under, forgive me, forgive, forgive me. I may have asked Jesus to save me or come into my heart, but I don’t remember if I said those exact words. I do know I cried out for forgiveness. The important thing is not the exact words, but my obedience to the Holy Spirit’s conviction that I was lost in sin and needed Jesus to save me.

I came to Jesus just as I am. I knew that Jesus was the Savior and I was coming to him to be saved. I can still remember the cleansing I felt in my soul. I was saved!

As I laid in the bed that night (I had to go to school the next day), I was clean, forgiven, and Jesus was my Lord. That was where my walk with God began. To hear anyone undermine the importance of repentance (as I am hearing from some Pastors), troubles me. One minister referred to repentance as a false response to the gospel. This same minister claimed that the phrase “repent of or from your sins” is never found in the Bible.

The phrase “repent of your sins” may not be in the Bible, but repenting of sins is! Consider the following:

Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, saith the Lord God. Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin. ~ Ezekiel 18:30

Therefore say unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord God; Repent, and turn yourselves from your idols; and turn away your faces from all your abominations. ~ Ezekiel 14:6

Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee. ~ Acts 8: 22

For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and that I shall be found unto you such as ye would not: lest there be debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults: And lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and that I shall bewail many which have sinned already, and have not repented of the uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness which they have committed. ~ 2 Corinthians 12: 20-21

And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk: Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts. ~ Revelation 20: 9-20-21

Repentance happens when the heart is humbled by the convicting power of the Holy Spirit. Repentance doesn’t happen when the heart resists the conviction of the Holy Spirit. The more, the heart resists the conviction of the Holy Spirit, the more the heart becomes hardened by sin (see Hebrews 3:7-14).

Now consider the following parable from Jesus.

And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. ~ Luke 18:9-14

Jesus said the publican who prayed, God be merciful to me a sinner, went home justified.

Let that sink in! The Bible teaches us that God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble, and it is grace that saves the sinner. The gospel, when preached correctly, humbles the hearer, and if we don’t have humility when we come to Christ, we’ll not leave his presence changed. The night I was saved, the Holy Spirit awakened humility in my heart by his conviction that I was lost and needed Jesus. 

At that point, it really did not matter what words I would have said, what mattered is that I turned my heart to the Lord, in humility, and trusted in Jesus. That’s what I did when I cried out the only way I knew how to pray, and that was “forgive me!” Thank God I knew from having been in church most of my life, that Jesus forgives sins.

Those who humble themselves need not fear, if they prayed with the correct words. I know from my own experience that some can struggle with this, because I did. Not long after I was saved, the tempter came and suggested to me that I had not prayed the right words, and this truly scared me as a young teenager, even though I knew I had been changed in my heart by the grace of God.

At that time in my life, I didn’t know the Bible like I do today, but Satan attempted to rob me of the assurance of my salvation. God is not a machine that only responds to the right words, He is a living God who responds to the thoughts and intents of our heart. Jesus knew I was praying to be saved in response to the gospel message I had heard, and he saved me because it was he who died for me, and his Spirit who was convicting me.

I am concerned that there are people who have been taught that they only need to “believe” but have never felt the conviction of the Holy Spirit grip their heart. The Holy Spirit’s conviction is the missing component in some of the new doctrines about salvation, such as free grace theology.

When the Holy Spirit convicts a person to come to Christ, he’s not attempting to persuade them into a decisional of moment of belief. The Holy Spirit’s conviction is a call to follow Christ, and comes with the awareness that you can’t go on sinning. The Holy Spirit sanctifies us, not for Heaven, but for Christ! Heaven is the reward if we remain faithful to Christ.

This is why belief without repentance is so dangerous. In Acts 8 we have an example of belief without repentance, and we need to take to heart what the Bible has to tell us. 

In Acts 8, Philip preached the gospel to the Samaritans, and they believed the things that Philip preached and were baptized. Among them was a man named Simon, who was a Sorcerer and had previously bewitched the people with his sorceries.

Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done. ~ Acts 8:13

Notice that Simon the Sorcerer believed and was baptized. Now don’t forget that as we move forward. This man who used sorcery to bewitch the people believed the gospel that Philip preached and was baptized. Another important point for consideration, is that he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done.

Having been involved in sorcery, Simon must have truly been fascinated when he saw miracles, signs and wonders in Philip’s ministry. Now let’s read the account and follow the flow of thought.

Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them. And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed. And there was great joy in that city. But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one: To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God. And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries. But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done. ~ Acts 8:5-13 

Now, there is a lot going on in this section of scripture, but the part I want to point out to you is that Simon believed and was baptized, but Peter was not impressed when he met him. Peter and John were sent to Samaria by the apostles in Jerusalem.

Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost… ~ v. 14-15 

When Simon saw this, rather than desiring the gift of the Holy Spirit, he wanted to purchase the power of God from Peter and John. Simon was still behaving with the heart of a sorcerer, and not as one who had humbled himself and turned from his sin.

And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost. But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God. Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee. For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity. Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the Lord for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me. ~ Acts 8:18-24

Simon, who had believed and was baptized, is someone whom we would call saved, today. Isn’t he? Yes he is. We would count him among those who have made a decision for Christ. Yet according to Peter, the following were true regarding Simon.

1. He had no part or lot in this matter. In other words he wasn’t qualified to receive or minister to others the gift of the Holy Spirit.

2. His heart was not right in the sight of God.

3. He had not repented of his sorcery (repent of this, thy wickedness).

4. He needed forgiveness from God.

5. He was in the gall of bitterness and the bond of Iniquity.

Because of Philip’s ministry and the ministry of Peter and John, Simon could no longer bewitch the people or be admired by them as someone great. According to Peter, Simon was in the gall of bitterness and the bond of Iniquity. Consider the following definition of the gall of bitterness.

The bitterest grief; extreme affliction. The ancients taught that grief and joy were subject to the gall, affection to the heart, knowledge to the kidneys, anger to the bile (one of the four humours of the body), and courage or timidity to the liver. The gall of bitterness, like the heart of hearts, means the bitter centre of bitterness, as the heart of hearts means the innermost recesses of the heart or affections. In the Acts it is used to signify “the sinfulness of sin,” which leads to the bitterest grief. ~ Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, E. Cobham Brewer, 1894

It seems that Simon may have been bitter because Philip and the apostles influenced the people for Christ and he no longer had power over them. Regardless if this was the case, he was in bondage to sin according to Peter. Simon the sorcerer had believed, but not repented.

Biblical faith (faith that saves) comes from a posture of humility that turns from sin to serve the Living God. There is no evidence that Simon had this kind of faith. Though he had believed and been baptized, he had not repented and wasn’t right with God. That is a sobering truth, and I fear that we may have many Christians who have never experienced a real change in their hearts because they have been taught they do not need to repent. They are taught to just simply believe (no commitment to Christ is required) and you will have eternal life and go to Heaven. 

Humility is the posture of faith in the heart of the one who receives eternal life. You cannot have real saving faith if your heart is not humbled. “Mental agreement belief” is not enough. True belief in Jesus translates into humbling yourself to obey the call of the gospel.

This same Peter who rebuked Simon the sorcerer, wrote the following.

Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God. Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently: Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. ~ 1 Peter 1:18-23

Belief in Jesus that saves is obeying the truth through the Spirit. It is not a mental agreement.

The exchange between Peter and Simon is all a person needs to know that a person can have belief, but not have true saving faith. Simon believed but Peter told him, thy heart is not right in the sight of God. Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.