Repentance & Faith

Описание: In his famous "Divine Comedy", Dante Alighieri describes being given a tour of heaven and hell by the Roman poet Virgil. This great poem is full of deficient medieval Popish theology, but it includes a famous and unforgettable scene. As Dante approaches the gate to "Inferno", be sees these terrifying words written above it: "All Hope Abandon Ye Who Enter Here". There is indeed no hope for us. We are guilty sinners. But Jesus holds the key to Hades and God is merciful. There is a Way of Salvation, an "ordo salutis".

We find this plan of salvation sketched out in Romans 8:29 and 30: "For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified."

Here is an outline of God's Plan: predestination, calling, justification and glorification. And if we read between the lines with information from other Scriptures, we will see other pieces of the plan - like regeneration, conversion and sanctification. Today we will consider Conversion, which include both Repentance and Faith. We break these topics into pieces in order to understand them, but they always go together.

Regeneration is the same as being born again; God gives us a new heart. This can be quite subconscious. But Conversion involves a conscious action - we are aware of turning away from sin and turning toward Jesus. Even this is all a gift from God.

When we wake up to our sinfulness, we see that we must change. We cannot change ourselves. But God can change us and start us on a life-long process of growing in holiness. Spiritual growth involves Repentance and Faith.

God commands all men to repent, but only grants Repentance to His elect. Repentance means really change. Intellectual, emotional and volitional change. A repentant person changes his mind about sin and God. He used to love sin and hate God, now he thinks completely the opposite. He changes his desires and feelings. Now he feels real sorrow over his sings and wants to please his Savior. And he changes his will. The converted Christian is never perfect, but he is disposed to love and obedience.

But we turn from our sins toward Christ in faith. Faith means belief, trust, and rest. Unlike the sinner facing Hell's Gate, by faith we have real hope. We give up trust in our own supposed goodness, and rely on Jesus alone. Saving faith requires knowledge. We must believe that God exists and that His Word is true. We have strong evidence and good reasons to assent to the truth of the Gospel. But mere knowledge is not enough. The Devil and his demons know the facts about God. We must actually trust Jesus and count on Him to save us. Then we have peace with God, unity with Jesus and assurance of forgiveness. True believer can waver in our faith, but if we belong to God, He will keep ahold of us. So make your calling and election sure - by turning from sin and holding on to Jesus.

Pastor Ron Potter, 2/22/26