Why is the concept of duty repentance important for Christians?

Duty repentance encapsulates the obligation of all individuals to turn from their sins and seek God’s face. This concept, deeply rooted in Scripture, communicates that, while unregenerate man is spiritually incapable of true repentance (Romans 1:19-28), the command for repentance remains valid and binding due to God's sovereign authority. Acts 20:21 explicitly instructs that repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ should be proclaimed. It informs Christians that while salvation is not within their power to achieve, the spiritual accountability to respond to God’s call remains. Thus, Christians are encouraged to proclaim the necessity of repentance while also relying on the Holy Spirit to effect this change in the hearts of those who hear (Acts 11:18, 2 Corinthians 7:10). Recognizing that while duty repentance exists, it must be pursued in the context of relying on God's grace confirms our complete dependency on Him for transformation and salvation.