How do we know that repentance is necessary for salvation?
Answered in 2 sources
The need for repentance is fundamental, as it leads us to acknowledge our sinfulness and embrace Christ's sacrifice for forgiveness.
Repentance is often emphasized in the Scriptures as a necessary prerequisite for salvation. It is by recognizing our own sinfulness that we can appreciate the grace offered to us in Christ. In the context of sovereign grace, true repentance is not merely feeling sorry for our sins but involves a complete turning away from sin and a sincere turning towards God. This change of heart is essential because, as stated in the content, without the acknowledgment of sin as the greatest evil, we cannot see Christ as the greatest good.
The words of Samuel Clarke resonate with the biblical truth that sin is not only a moral failure but also a spiritual crisis that necessitates a godly response. The godly person recognizes that their soul is tainted by sin and thus embraces repentance as a vital step towards redemption. When we understand the depth of our depravity and the height of God's grace, repentance becomes a natural and necessary expression of our faith, validated by passages such as Proverbs 22:17.
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