Repentance leads to salvation? Or salvation leads to repentance?

Does repentance lead to salvation? Or does salvation lead to repentance? The answer, of course, is "Yes".

"Paul seems to make repentance the ground of salvation. Were it so, it would follow, that we are justified by works. I answer, that we must observe what Paul here treats of, for he is not inquiring as to the ground of salvation, but simply commending repentance from the fruit which it produces, he says that it is like a way by which we arrive at salvation.

Nor is it without good reason; for Christ calls us by way of free favor, but it is to repentance (Matthew 9:13). God by way of free favor pardons our sins, but only when we renounce them. Nay more, God accomplishes in us at one and the same time two things: being renewed by repentance, we are delivered from the bondage of our sins; and, being justified by faith, we are delivered also from the curse of our sins. They are, therefore, inseparable fruits of grace, and, in consequence of their invariable connection, repentance may with fitness and propriety be represented as an introduction to salvation, but in this way of speaking of it, it is represented as an effect rather than as a cause.

These are not refinements for the purpose of evasion, but a true and simple solution, for, while Scripture teaches us that we never obtain forgiveness of sins without repentance, it represents at the same time, in a variety of passages, the mercy of God alone as the ground of our obtaining it."--Calvin's Commentary on 2nd Corinthians 7:8-11

Category:

Education

Tags:

• John Calvin
• Calvin's Commentaries
• 2nd Corinthians 7:8-11
• 1st John 1-2
• repentance
• Lordship Salvation
• Lordship of Jesus Christ
• salvation
• Jesus is Lord