So yesterday, I saw a license plate on the front of an old van that said
“Repent
Believe
Obey.”
These commands were stacked on top of each other as if to emphasize the importance of the order.
But, in my opinion, this is getting the cart way before the horse. Repentance, which simply means turning from my sin, cannot happen in my own strength. And yet, unless I’m daft, this person seems to believe that repentance must precede belief. But if I don’t believe in the only begotten Son of God as my salvation, I can try and try and try and try (you get the point) to turn from my sin. And I will always fail.
Paul makes it very clear that it is God’s goodness and kindness that lead to repentance, not my willpower. “…do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?” (Romans 2.4 TNIV).
Even as a believer, I have a track record of not believing in my God, and so therefore being unable to truly repent.
Maybe I’m making too much of this. Maybe the order of these commands was not important to the driver of the van. Yet I’ve met Christians who make a huge deal out of repentance, and who seem to forget that it is actually a sign of belief and trust and love.
Add it to the list of things I don’t know.