Repentance and faith are central themes in the Christian life, yet they are often misunderstood in terms of their role in salvation. A common misconception is that one must first forsake sin in order to come to Christ. This view distorts the gospel and places a burden on sinners that they cannot bear. Instead, the biblical teaching is that we turn to Christ in faith so that we might forsake sin. Understanding the relationship between faith and repentance not only guards the gospel's integrity but also provides hope and clarity for sinners who long for salvation.
Turning to Christ to Forsake Sin
Repentance is not the act of cleaning oneself up to be accepted by Christ. Instead, it is the fruit of coming to Christ in faith. When a sinner places their trust in Jesus, they are not merely acknowledging His existence but embracing Him as Savior and Redeemer from sin (Matthew 1:21; James 2:19). This act of faith seeks deliverance not only from the guilt of sin but also from its power. Faith brings us to Christ, who alone can liberate us from sin's tyranny and provide the resources for its forsaking.
The Bible clearly teaches that the commands to repent and believe do not assume an innate moral ability to do so. Rather, repentance and faith are gifts of God, granted through the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit (Ezekiel 36:26; John 6:63, 65). When the Spirit opens our eyes, renews our affections, and shows us the misery of our sin, we flee to Christ as the one who rescues us from its guilt and bondage. This initial turning to Christ is the seed of repentance, a recognition of our inability to break sin's chains apart from Him.
The Consummation of Repentance
While repentance begins with turning to Christ, its full realization—the forsaking of sin—occurs after union with Him. This is because it is only through Christ's work and the sanctifying power of the Holy Spirit that we are freed from sin’s dominion. The actual forsaking of sin follows faith, as Christ breaks its bondage and empowers us to live in obedience. This sequence highlights the gracious nature of salvation: we come to Christ with nothing to offer except our need, and He provides everything we require to forsake sin and live a holy life.
John Calvin articulates this truth beautifully:
"Forgiveness of sins can never come to anyone without repentance, because only those afflicted and wounded by the awareness of sins can sincerely invoke God's mercy. But at the same time, repentance is not the cause of forgiveness of sins. The sinner does not dwell upon his own compunction or tears but fixes both eyes upon the Lord's mercy alone." (Institutes of the Christian Religion, 3.4.3)
Addressing Common Errors
Historically, there have been three major views on the relationship between faith, repentance, and salvation:
The Antinomian Position: This view separates justification from sanctification, suggesting that one can come to Christ for forgiveness without submitting to His lordship or being delivered from sin's power. Such a view cheapens grace and denies the transforming work of salvation (Romans 6:1-2).
The Neonomian Position: This view teaches that one must forsake sin before coming to Christ. It essentially makes repentance a precondition for faith and places an impossible burden on the sinner. Scripture rejects this idea, emphasizing that Christ came to save sinners, not those who think they can save themselves (Mark 2:17).
The Biblical Position: The biblical and confessional understanding is that sinners, recognizing their helplessness, turn to Christ in faith by the regenerating grace of God. This faith, granted by the Spirit, seeks deliverance from both the guilt and power of sin. Repentance is not a prerequisite for faith but a fruit of it, made possible by union with Christ.
The Westminster Confession of Faith captures this balance:
"Repentance unto life is an evangelical grace... By it, a sinner, out of the sight and sense not only of the danger but also of the filthiness and odiousness of his sins... so grieves for, and hates his sins, as to turn from them all unto God, purposing and endeavoring to walk with Him in all the ways of His commandments." (WCF 15.1-2)
Faith and Repentance in the Ordo Salutis
In the order of salvation (ordo salutis), faith precedes the consummation of repentance. Repentance begins as the initial seed of turning to Christ and is completed as we, by His grace, forsake sin. This is why repentance, though essential, is not the basis of our justification. We are justified by faith alone, which unites us to Christ, the source of both justification and sanctification. Forsaking sin flows from this union, as the Spirit progressively transforms us into the image of Christ (Romans 8:29-30).
To clarify, repentance is necessary for salvation, but not in the sense of a meritorious act or precondition. Instead, it is the Spirit-wrought response to the grace of God in Christ. We do not rest on our repentance for forgiveness; we rest on Christ. Yet, if we do not desire to forsake sin, it is evidence that we have not truly come to Him for salvation.
Christ Alone Saves
At the heart of this discussion is the central truth that Christ alone saves. Faith and repentance are not contributions we make to our salvation but gifts of grace that flow from the Spirit’s work in our hearts. Faith brings us into union with Christ, and repentance flows naturally from that union. In this way, salvation is wholly of God, and we boast only in the Lord (1 Corinthians 1:30-31).
As the Spirit renews our hearts and reveals the depth of our sin, we flee to Christ, who justifies us and sanctifies us. He delivers us from both the guilt and power of sin. Faith rests on Him alone, and repentance follows as the fruit of His redemptive work. Together, these gifts glorify the God of grace, who rescues sinners and transforms them into His holy people.
Related Resources
Repentance and Salvation by Patrick Ramsey
Justifying Faith by Patrick Ramsey
Faith and Repentance by Dr. Sinclair B. Ferguson
What Came First: Repentance or Forgiveness? (MP3) Carl Trueman, Todd Pruitt
Repentance: No Pardon Without It, by Chad Van Dixhoorn
Ordo Salutis (The Order of Salvation) @Monergism