And when they had come to him, he said to them: "You know, from the first day that I came to Asia, in what manner I always lived among you, serving the Lord with all humility, with many tears and trials which happened to me by the plotting of the Jews; how I kept back nothing that was helpful, but proclaimed it to you, and taught you publicly and from house to house, testifying to Jews, and also to Greeks, repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. Acts 20:18-21 (emphasis added)
We began yesterday considering four opinions about what is the required response to the gospel. Go back and read that if you haven’t. I want to expound on the fourth (and correct) opinion a little more in this post.
The correct response is Faith Alone, understanding that though “faith alone saves, the faith that saves is not alone.” Repentance is the required response to the gospel, not in addition to faith, but as a necessary aspect of saving faith.
Those who insist that salvation is by faith plus repentance (works) fail to understand the writings of James (2:14-26). It is easy to understand these words as saying that faith alone is not enough because he writes of the necessity of works. The misunderstanding insists that works (repentance) is something we do in addition to faith. The actual meaning of the passage is that though we are justified by faith alone (Romans 3:28, 4:3-5. 5:1), our faith is “validated” by our “works”—a changed life under the Lordship of Christ. James’ point is that there are too many “antinomians” (see yesterday’s post) who think they can believe the facts about Jesus and continue living in sin.
The legalist, who adds anything to faith as being necessary for salvation, says salvation is based at least in part to what I do. The antinomian says salvation is based on faith without regard for what I do. Both extreme positions are incorrect. The biblical position is that salvation is by faith in Christ ALONE, but that repentance is always—and must necessarily—accompany true saving faith.
Here is the kicker: Understood biblically, both saving faith and true repentance are not “works” that come from us. No. Both are gifts of God, given to those who are born again by the sovereign and unilateral work of the Holy Spirit. Faith is a gift from God (Ephesians 2:8, 1 Timothy 1:14). Repentance is a gift from God (Acts 11:18; 2 Timothy 2:25). All glory therefore is to God alone, lest anyone should boast!