Let’s talk repentance.
But isn’t it “Come as you are?” Do I really have to get “cleaned up” before coming to Christ? What’s this all about?
First, let’s be clear about “come as you are.” I’m not sure who first coined this term (and I cannot find it in Scripture), but I love how it’s explained here:
“’Come as you are’ does not mean that God is OK with whatever sins are currently in our lives and we don’t have to worry about repenting of them. ‘Come as you are’ just means not to let your current sins prevent you from coming before God because of shame. It means coming to God as you are (in repentance) and expecting to be radically changed by Him through the power of the Holy Spirit and molded into the image of His Son.”
Gabrielle – Pinterest
When we recognize our separation from God and our sinfulness and decide to restore our relationship with God through surrendering our lives to Jesus Christ (the only way of salvation), we must come with a genuine, contrite heart in repentance, belief of the Gospel, confession of that belief, and baptism. All 100% absolutely necessary for true salvation. Once we’ve surrendered, we are made new—a new creation with a renewed mind and changed thoughts (2 Corinthians 5:17/ Romans 12:2). This is a process in salvation.
Salvation is composed of Justification (salvation as a past accomplishment – Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice completed on the cross to pay the penalty of our sin), Sanctification (salvation as a present process), and Glorification (salvation as a future prospect at the return of Jesus).
Repentance and sanctification are different. Repentance is “to change one’s mind for the better, heartily to amend with abhorrence of one’s past sins” (Blue Letter Bible). It is not only initially a changing of one’s mind about Christ and sin (at salvation), but it is a continual turning away from sin and the flesh and turning to God in full surrender in Christ (Who is Lord/Owner). This is choosing to and actively leaving a life of sinfulness, keeping in step with the Spirit (Galatians 5 insinuates walking by the Spirit is a choice).
Let’s take, for example, someone who is a homosexual and has an active romantic relationship with another individual—perhaps even “married” (and that is used loosely for it only applies by legal worldly government terms). He realizes what he is doing, how he is living, is sinful—in opposition to God and what His Word deems as sin—after hearing the Gospel of Jesus Christ and being taught what God considers sin. Therefore, he decides to leave the person he has the relationship with, putting his relationship with God above his relationship with any fellow human being. As a result, he comes to Christ in full repentance (turning from the sin [actively stopping and leaving the relationship] with genuine contrition [recognition and sorrow over the sin they have committed against God] and turning to God in full surrender). Being baptized, he has clothed himself with Christ, receiving forgiveness of sin and the gift of the Holy Spirit. He is saved and sanctified, and the Holy Spirit reveals truth. Does his new transformation, his restored relationship with God mean he will be free of unwanted thoughts and sinful desires? No. However, sanctification through the Holy Spirit with prayer and study of God’s Word will begin to instill in him the desire for purity, righteousness, and holiness. Prayer that God will take captive those thoughts and desires, walking by the Spirit and not the flesh, will gradually grow that person in maturity.
This never ends.
Sanctification is a continuous process which sets Christians apart from the rest of the profane world, making holy. Repentance is not a one-and-done deal either. Repentance is something we choose, choosing to trust and obey God, and sanctification is the Holy Spirit’s work in us to make us holy. When those thoughts do occur, forgiveness is sought after. Change may happen quickly in some areas, but rather slowly in others. But as long as Christians persevere in the faith, seek after God’s holiness, set their minds on things above, strive to be like Jesus, constantly communicate through prayer and remain steadfast in God’s Word as His humble servants, those changes will persist. They finally understand that this world—and all the sinful allure it has to offer—is temporary and their citizenship is in Heaven, living as such.
“And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.”
“No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.”
“And Peter said to them, ‘Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.'”
“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
Gabrielle. Retrieved February 16, 2021 from, https://www.pinterest.com/pin/92323861100134854/
All Scripture (unless otherwise noted): English Standard Version Bible. 2021. BibleHub.com and
English Standard Version Bible. 2016. Crossway
G3340 – metanoeō – Strong’s Greek Lexicon (esv). Retrieved from https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g3340/esv/tr/0-1/