Expert: Mrs. Priscilla Lyons - 6/13/2005

Question
Hi,

I'm really confused about how “repentance” fits into a person getting saved. I hear pastors say people need to repent first before they can accept Jesus and  become saved.  However, if people are slaves to sin, then where do they find the strength to repent in order to get saved? In other words, say some one is an alcoholic. They don't have the strength in themselves to turn from alcohol in order to get saved! So how do they find the strength to repent of their alcoholism? How do they even have the strength to want to repent of alcoholism? For this reason I'm wondering perhaps instead I should not mention repentance at all and instead just ask unsaved people to accept Jesus as their personal savior. Inotherwords, don't mention the alcoholism and instead ask them if they would like Jesus to be their savior. Then once the Holy Spirit comes into their heart, then the Holy Spirit will give the alcoholic the strength to over come the alcohol. What do you think?  

Answer
Dear Brison,
   Thanks for writing.  To me "repent" means a person compares his/her sin (use your example of alcoholism) to God's way of freedom from sin and desires God's way.  He may still want to drink alcohol, but he recognizes the destructiveness of it and wants to change.  Romans 7:15-8:5 seems to indicate that a person must want to change and recognize true change only comes from submission to God's Spirit.  Roman 6:4-6 not only describes salvation and its symbolism in baptism, but also the daily attitude of a Christian, to take up the cross daily and follow Jesus--surrender our life (die on the cross) daily so God's Spirit within can make us like Jesus. Luke 9:23
   That's why I sometimes question the salvation of someone who wants to be saved from hell, but doesn't want to be saved from or be separated from the sins that make us all deserve hell.  I sometimes ask people if they believe God enough to have Him take away their sins and guide their future with a daily relationship with Him.  Eternal life is THROUGH JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD. Romans 6:23  
   I think it's good to think through our presentation to encourage others to get saved, but it is God who works to change lives, no matter how well or not so well we are presenting it, so keep on sharing the truth about God.
   Sincerely,
   Priscilla Lyons