The pursuit of salvation from sins ought to be the most important undertaking in any person’s life. But salvation does not come by following a strategy devised by a religious leader or some church. Salvation is only obtained by finding and following the plan designed by the God of heaven. In order to be saved from sins, one must believe that Jesus is God’s Son (Acts 16:31; John 20:30-31; 8:24). But that is not all one must do!
First, the Bible teaches that we must repent in order to be saved. “God…now commands all men everywhere to repent, because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world” (Acts 17:30-31). The Lord is longing that “all should come to repentance” (2 Pet. 3:9), in order that they might obtain “the remission of sins” (Acts 2:38).
Second, the Bible teaches what it means to repent. Repenting of sin is an active response to the gospel of Christ (Acts 17:30), but what is repentance? Jesus told of a father who instructed his son, “Go, work today in my vineyard.” The son “answered and said, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he regretted it and went” (Matt. 21:28-29). Another translation says that “afterward he changed his mind and went.” Repentance is a change of mind that leads to a change of life, in which one decides to turn away from sin and “turn to God” (Acts 26:20). It is not merely being sorrowful for having done wrong and asking for forgiveness. The report of the jailer, when he took Paul and Silas and “washed their wounds” (Acts 16:33), is a visual illustration of one who turned from wrong and started to try to make it right.
Third, the Bible teaches what should bring about repentance. What is it that ought to bring about repentance in one’s heart? There are a number of motivators that can lead one to repent: (1) the command by God (Acts 17:30); (2) the goodness of God (Rom. 2:4); (3) awareness of the gravity of sin (Acts 2:37-38); (4) godly sorrow for sin (2 Cor. 7:10); (5) fear of judgment (Acts 17:30-31); (6) desire to be forgiven of sin (Luke 24:47).
Fourth, the Bible teaches what will happen if we do not repent of our sins. Since the Bible makes it clear that we must repent in order to be saved, what will happen to those who do not repent? Jesus said, “I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish” (Luke 13:3). Before one repents, there is no concern, regret or determination at all to do anything about one’s sins. Such will cause one to “perish,” if he does not turn.
The Bible says that true “repentance leads to life” (Acts 11:18). One is not granted a new life in Christ at the moment of repentance, for there is more that he must do based upon his turn from sin. But one is on the path to be granted a life from free sin when he makes up his mind to repent. Is there any reason that you should not repent right now?