Conversion: Faith and Repentance
The concept of conversion is central to the Christian faith, representing a profound spiritual transformation from a life alienated from God to one reconciled with Him. It is not merely a change of opinion or affiliation but a radical, God-initiated turning of the heart and life. Biblically, this spiritual metamorphosis is inextricably linked to two fundamental components: faith and repentance. These are not separate, sequential steps, but rather two sides of the same divine work, essential for salvation and entrance into the Kingdom of God.
The Necessity of Conversion
The Bible unequivocally declares the universal fallen state of humanity. Every person, by nature, is born into sin, separated from a holy God, and under His righteous condemnation. The Apostle Paul plainly states:
For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
And the consequence of this fallen state is dire:
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Spiritually, mankind is described as being "dead in trespasses and sins" (Ephesians 2:1). This spiritual death renders individuals incapable of seeking God on their own or earning His favour. Therefore, a divine intervention, a spiritual rebirth, is absolutely necessary for anyone to enter into a right relationship with God. Jesus Himself emphasized this to Nicodemus, stating, "Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God" (John 3:3). This "being born again" is precisely what conversion entails – a turning from sin and self, to God and His Christ.
Faith: The Foundation of Conversion
At the heart of conversion lies faith. But what kind of faith? Not mere intellectual assent to God's existence, for even "the devils also believe, and tremble" (James 2:19). Saving faith is a confident trust and reliance upon Jesus Christ alone for salvation. It is the conviction that God's promises are true and that Christ's atoning sacrifice on the cross is sufficient to pay the penalty for one's sins. As Hebrews 11:1 defines it:
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
This faith is directed specifically towards the person and work of Jesus Christ. The Gospel message is clear:
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
And the mechanism for receiving this eternal life through faith is further elaborated:
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
True faith, therefore, involves a personal appropriation of Christ's righteousness, a turning from self-effort and trusting completely in His finished work. It is not something we conjure up on our own, but rather a gift from God, as Ephesians 2:8-9 affirms: "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast."
Repentance: The Fruit of True Faith
While faith is the hand that receives salvation, repentance is the turning away from that which separated us from God. The Greek word for repentance, metanoia, literally means "a change of mind" or "a change of purpose." Biblically, this change of mind leads to a change of direction and action. It is not merely feeling sorry for one's sins (which can be worldly sorrow), but a deep, godly sorrow that leads to a genuine turning from sin to God. The Apostle Paul differentiates these sorrows:
For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.
Repentance involves a recognition of one's sinfulness, a regret for having offended God, and a decisive turning away from sinful practices and desires towards obedience to God's will. John the Baptist preached repentance, urging people to "Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance" (Matthew 3:8), indicating that true repentance is evidenced by a changed life. Peter, on the Day of Pentecost, called his hearers to action:
Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Later, he reiterated the call:
Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.
Repentance is not a one-time event that ends at conversion, but a continuous posture of the heart for the believer, a daily turning from anything that grieves God, and a commitment to living in conformity to His Word.
The Inseparable Nature of Faith and Repentance
It is crucial to understand that faith and repentance are not separate, sequential steps in conversion, as if one first believes and then later repents, or vice versa. They are two integral, simultaneous aspects of the same turning to God. One cannot truly believe in Christ without simultaneously turning from the sin that necessitated His sacrifice. Likewise, one cannot truly repent without exercising faith in the One who forgives sins. They are two sides of the same coin, two inseparable facets of a genuine conversion experience.
Jesus Himself preached both in His inaugural message:
The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.
The Apostle Paul, in summarizing his ministry, testified to preaching both to Jews and Gentiles:
Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.
This dynamic interplay means that true faith will inevitably lead to a change of heart and life (repentance), and true repentance is always rooted in the belief that God, through Christ, offers forgiveness and new life. To attempt to have one without the other is to misunderstand the biblical nature of conversion. A faith that does not lead to repentance is dead, and a repentance that is not grounded in faith in Christ is mere human effort.
The Role of God's Grace
While faith and repentance are the human responses in conversion, it is paramount to recognize that conversion itself is fundamentally a work of God's sovereign grace. As previously noted, even faith is a gift of God. Man, being spiritually dead, cannot initiate this turning on his own. Jesus declared:
No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.
God grants repentance (Acts 11:18, 2 Timothy 2:25) and enables faith. The entire process, from conviction of sin to the new birth, is orchestrated by the Holy Spirit. It is God who convicts the heart of sin, draws individuals to Christ, illuminates the truth of the Gospel, and empowers both the act of believing and the turning from sin. This divine initiative underscores that conversion is not a human achievement but a miraculous transformation wrought by God's power and love.
The Call to Action
The biblical call to conversion is urgent and personal. It is an invitation to turn from the path of self-destruction and rebellion, and to embrace the life offered in Christ. For those who hear the Gospel, the response required is clear:
Upon genuine conversion, the Bible promises a new creation:
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
This new life is marked by a desire to obey God, a growing love for His Word, and the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. Conversion is not just a theological concept; it is the most vital experience a human being can undergo, leading to eternal life and a restored relationship with the Creator. The call remains: "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved" (Acts 16:31), coupled with the imperative to "repent ye, and believe the gospel."