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QUESTION 54:
I will assume that repentance for salvation is recognition that one is a sinner in need of a Saviour and that Jesus is the only way to be saved (through His death on the cross). One question I have, you said that turning from sin occurs after salvation. What if a person does not turn from sin after salvation?

ANSWER:
True repentance is a change of mind or purpose toward sinning against God. The word is mental and not really moral. Since we cannot change ourselves to be accepted of the Lord, and He has not asked us to do so to be saved, then changes of ways before being saved are not necessary for salvation. Were this so, then a person could not be saved in an instant. They would have to make necessary changes first. This would take time.

Your question is, "What if they do not change after being saved? There will be a change in some measure. The parable of Matthew 13 puts it this way, "some thirty, some sixty and some a hundredfold. Repentance is mental and conversion is moral. Conversion is the ongoing results of repentance and faith in Christ. If you put yeast in a pan of dough there will be some action that takes place. The yeast will work. So likewise the "gospel," which is God power to save those that believe it (Romans 1:16), will work when a person truly repents and trust Christ completely to save them. This then becomes the work of God IN them. Ephesians 2:10, "created in Christ Jesus unto good works." Again, ".....it is God that worketh in you..." Philippians 2:13 "He that hath begun a good work in you.... Philippians 1:6. The only time is doesn't work is when one has a false, empty profession.

Salvation is not coming to the Lord and doing the best you can. It is God working IN US what Christ has done FOR US, but only when we repent and turn to Christ in full trust in Him. Dear reader, What about you? Have you repented yet? It is, "repent or perish," Luke 13:3 Why not make today the day of salvation for you. Repent and believe the gospel. Mark 1:15

All comments and questions to: Harold Smith

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Updated July 2009, by Shelly Allen