When we realize our sin problem and our helplessness to rise above our natures on our own, there is only one thing left to do. We need to give up and let God take control! When God brings us to this point, we consider it the miracle of conversion.

But what about repentance? Don’t we have to repent first to come to God? Doesn’t repentance come before conversion? In this study, we will explore what the Bible teaches about conversion and repentance.

Conversion

In John 3:3, Jesus Christ says that, unless we are born again, we cannot see the Kingdom of God. This shows us that the conversion experience (also called the new birth experience) is quite important if we expect to go to heaven.

The power for the new birth comes from God, not us, and the Holy Spirit is the active agent in the new birth experience. Conversion is a supernatural work of the Holy Spirit. It is marked by a change of attitude towards God. Instead of running away from God, the one who is being converted turns toward God.

Conversion does not mean that we have to have everything straight right away or understand everything. The Christian life is a path that leads to heaven. Many who are at the beginning of their Christian experience are akin to babies or children just beginning the way, and learning as they go along. Conversion is about not fighting with God, but submitting to God.

In order for us to understand spiritual things, we need to have our hearts and minds renewed by the Holy Spirit. Conversion creates a new and deeper capacity for knowing God.

The Holy Spirit renews your mind and thereby creates new understandings and interests that were not there before. You begin to experience a new desire to know God. This new attitude leads to a changed life. In Ezekiel, God promises to give us new hearts and new spirits that can respond warmly to God and to others.

Conversion is called the new birth. It’s the beginning of spiritual life. Just as you cannot choose your own birthday in the physical life, you cannot choose your own spiritual birthday. You cannot convert yourself, or others for that matter. That is completely up to God. You can share Christ with others, but it is up to the Holy Spirit to change the attitude toward God.

God promises that He will finish the work He starts in us (Philippians 1:6).

Repentance

Some people ask if repentance is necessary for salvation. The Bible says “yes.” The only type of people who feel the need for repentance, however, are people who realize their sinful state—those who are sick of themselves, sick of messing up their lives. Repentance involves a genuine sorrow for sin that includes a turning away from the sin.

There is a false sorrow for sin that is more of a sorrow for the consequences of the sin, like a thief that is not sorry that he stole, but that he got caught and is now in jail. There are many people who have a false sorrow for their misdeeds. How many stories do we read of cold-blooded people who have destroyed children or families through their heartless acts, and who are not repentant?

Genuine repentance comes from God. This is a point on which many err, and as a result they lack the faith to receive the help that Christ desires to give them. They think that they cannot come to Christ unless they first repent and that repentance prepares them for the forgiveness of their sins.

The Bible does not teach that we must repent before we can heed the invitation of Christ. We can no more repent without the Spirit of Christ to awaken the conscience than we can be pardoned without Christ.

We cannot repent of anything until we come to Christ. Repentance is something we receive. It is a gift from God. We come to Jesus and He grants us repentance and then forgives our sin. We do not cleanse ourselves in order to come to Christ. Instead, we come to Christ and then He does the job of cleansing us. Romans 2:4 tells us that it is the goodness of God that leads us to repentance. We cannot turn away from sin in our own strength but we can seek the Lord to do those things for us. God delights to help those who cannot help themselves. That is one of the points of difference between Jesus Christ and the gods of other religions.

Christianity is the only religion in which the God offered Himself, died, and rose again in order to deliver humankind from its desperate state. Christianity is also the only religion in which God, and God alone, is the Saviour. All other religions, including Catholicism, teach that we have to do something in order to earn redemption. This is wholly against the Bible.

Our part is only always to come to Jesus.

Learn more about how to live a Christian life in our next article. How does repentance and action relate to sanctification and judgment? Read our articles on judgment.