In 2 Tim. 2:25, Paul the apostle speaks of “God granting them repentance, so that they may know the truth.” It appears that repentance is a gift from God. But in some other verses, repentance is seen as a person’s work. For example, in Mark 1:15, Jesus commands to “Repent, and believe in the gospel.” In Acts 17:30, Paul says that “God commands all men everywhere to repent.” Is repentance a gift from God or the work of a person?
– Finny, India
DR. GEORGY’S RESPONSE:
There are some primary things to keep in mind regarding this issue. First, God is a sovereign God. Second, He has given human beings the gift of exercising free choice. Like other gifts of God, repentance also needs to be received in order to be enjoyed. God gives eternal life to all who would willingly receive the gift of salvation through repentance. Those who are not willing to repent do not inherit salvation. God is impartial in the offer of giving salvation to all. Yet man is free to accept or reject God’s gift by not choosing to repent.
Additionally, the word ‘repentance’ has two different shades of meaning. Repentance can be seen as an opportunity or a free human act. It is a nature given by God, and yet the actual act of repenting is to be done by humans by exercising their free will. God provides it, and at the same time, man chooses to accept it. God does not overstep man’s free choice in any manner.
God does not repent for human beings. Each person is responsible and free enough to decide and repent for himself.
