© 22 Colin Melbourne
Q: What’s the difference between faith and repentance?
A: That’s a very perceptive question!
They Only Function In Unison
In practical, and scriptural, terms there’s little difference, because bible faith is an action, not mere mental assent, and repentance without a corresponding change in action constitutes hypocrisy.
For example; the mental assenter declares; by His stripes I was healed, but reaches for medicine when Satan tries to put symptoms of disease on him.
That’s not Holy Bible faith, it’s unbelief in action, and plain hypocrisy in words.
Why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not…
Similarly, a sinner may claim to have repented of unbelief in Christ, yet continue living like a devil, ruled by his carnal mind instead of yielding to Christ’s Lordship. He’s not a genuine believer, but a pretender.
The Bible Yardstick
It is only as we hold ourselves to Bible faith and repentance, that we begin to see the LORD manifest His power in our lives.
Here’s The Divine Standard of biblical faith, James 2:14-26 KJV;
What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?
If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?
Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?
Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.
Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
Integrity of Heart, Word and Deed
It’s precisely the same with repentance: To comprehend this, swap the word repentance for faith in verse 18,
Yea, a man may say, Thou hast repentance, and I have works: shew me thy repentance without thy works, and I will shew thee my repentance by my works.
That’s why John the Baptist told the hypocrites and mental-assenters who came to him, Lk. 3:7-14 KJV;
Then said he to the multitude that came forth to be baptized of him, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, That God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.
And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: every tree therefore which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
And the people asked him, saying, What shall we do then?
He answereth and saith unto them, He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do likewise.
Then came also publicans to be baptized, and said unto him, Master, what shall we do? And he said unto them, Exact no more than that which is appointed you.
And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do? And he said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages.
The Holy Ghost through John demands integrity of heart, word, and deed for repentance to qualify as genuine.
Which parallels what the Holy Ghost wrote in James 2:14-26 (see above) on biblical faith.
Mental Faith is Useless to Save
Unless you believe in your heart, you don’t believe at all.
Bible faith is of the heart, the spirit, Rom. 10:10 KJV;
For with the HEART man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
When you believe something in your heart your actions always reflect what you really believe.
Only the wholehearted please Father God: Lukewarm fellowships are spat out. Rev. 3:15-16 KJV;
I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.
Obedience Flows From Real Love
You only believe God’s Word as far as you obey Him who said, Jn. 14:15 KJV;
If ye love me, keep my commandments.
Repent: Believe on Christ and Be Saved
Bible Repentance is a change of mind, heart, and action: If a change in will and action does not follow, then you have not repented, no matter what you say.
Time is short, let’s get real and show this perishing frightened world what Christ is like in our flesh… by what we do as well as what we say we believe.
© 22 Colin Melbourne
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