The Need for Ongoing Repentance
“Since believers are not perfected in this life and the flesh relentlessly assaults the Spirit, there is need for continual repentance subsequent to conversion. . . . Ongoing repentance in the Christian life involves sorrow for sin, a deliberate turning from sin, honest confession of known sins (1 John 1:8-9; James 5:16), making restitution wherever possible (Acts 26:20), mortifying the old nature (Col. 2:11; 3:5, 8-9), and putting on the new self (Col. 3:10). Repentance thus is an important constituent in the believer’s life of sanctification and perseverance until finally perfected in glory.
[ . . .] Scripture thus calls men and women not only to an initial conversion to Christ that enrolls them among the justified, but to a continual conversion that makes them more like Jesus Christ in word and deed. Progressive conversion validates the reality of initial conversion. It provides public proof that the seed of the Word has fallen on good soil (Matt. 13:23). Only by the exercise of daily repentance and daily faith can the saints become more Christlike, more fruitful, and more glorifying to God.”
- Bruce Demarest, The Cross and Salvation: The Doctrine of Salvation, 270-271 (emphasis mine).
Tags: Bruce Demarest, Repentance, The Cross and Salvation
You can comment below, or link to this permanent URL from your own site.
October 6, 2009 at 10:59 pm
That is one of my favorite books — definitely worth a slow reading to glean all the fruit like you have quoted here.
October 7, 2009 at 5:34 pm
Thanks. Dr. Demarest was a kind, gentle, and thoughtful soul while I was Denver and I enjoyed every class with him. He taught me how to teach others and how to learn from Christ. I cannot recommend his book highly enough.