What Is Genuine Biblical Repentance?

2nd Timothy 2:25-26, “In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.”

Carefully notice in our text passage of Scripture that repentance means to acknowledge THE TRUTH. This has nothing to do with turning from your sins, nor forsaking the world, nor being willing to turn from sin, nor feeling sorry for your sins, nor having a desire to forsake sinful bad habits, because these things constitute WORKS (Jonah 3:10).

Repentance is a change of mind to acknowledge THE TRUTH of two things: 1) You are a needy SINNER, and 2) Jesus is the only SAVIOR. Anyone who comes to God as a needy SINNER, and by faith takes God at His written Word in the Holy Bible—to receive Christ's sacrifice on the cross as full-payment for your sins, believing that Jesus was buried, but then raised up three days later—is instantly, irrevocably and forever saved. You have God's PROMISE of it (1st Corinthians 1:21; Titus 1:2; 1st Corinthians 15:1-6).

Most churches today have adopted a Roman Catholic interpretation of repentance, which includes penance, forsaking sinful living and changing one's ways to be saved. The Bible teaches something VERY different. Biblical repentance unto life simply means “a change of mind,” that is, a change of mind about whatever was hindering you from coming to the Lord to be saved. John 3:20 says that sin hinders people from coming to the light (Jesus, John 8:12) to be saved, because people living in sin don't want to be reproved and told they are wrong. When a man repents, he acknowledges that he is a guilty sinner in the eyes of a holy God, and so now he comes to Christ by faith to be saved.

Repentance simply means that you acknowledge your sinnership and thus need for Christ to save you. Romans 3:19, “Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.” We are saved by believing, not by repenting, but we wouldn't believe if we didn't repent. This is why the words “believe” and “believed” appear 85 times in the Gospel of John, but the word “repent” is never mentioned even once.

A person MUST repent to be saved, but repentance does NOT mean changing your sinful ways and turning over a new leaf for God. Repentance simply facilitates believing. That is, repentance makes believing possible, and they happen simultaneously. Repentance and faith are not the same thing, but they happen at the same time. The man who believes has repented; the man who repents has believed. I am worried about the salvation of umpteen Independent Baptists in our churches today, who have told me that they don't think believing the Gospel is enough to be saved. They have been caught-up into the damnable heresy of Roman Catholicism.

One Baptist man who teaches in a local Bible college said to me a few months ago, “I think there needs to be a little bit more.” That is, he believes it is NOT enough to trust upon Christ's death on the cross for our sins, His burial and bodily resurrection three days later to save us. This is the Gospel (Good News) according to 1st Corinthians 15:1-6. That foolish man also believes that you must purpose in your heart to stop living in a lifestyle of sin, to get to Heaven. The guy needs to get saved! My friend, there is a fine line between Christianity and the religion of the cults. Grace is not earned, it is offered!

Pastor Harry A. Ironside (1876-1951) correctly understood repentance . . .

“Repentance is the very opposite of meritorious experience. It is the confession that one is utterly without merit, and if he is ever saved at all it can only be through the merits of our Lord Jesus Christ, 'who gave himself a ransom for all.' Here is firm footing for the soul who realizes that all self-effort is but sinking sand. Christ alone is the Rock of our salvation.”

SOURCE: Harry A. Ironside; Except Ye Repent, p. 36)

Clearly, Ironside taught a Free Grace view of the Gospel. Harry A. Ironside correctly recognized repentance as the confession that “one is utterly without merit” and that if one is “ever saved at all it can only be through the merits of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Salvation is without works of self-righteousness. Romans 4:5 plainly teaches that a man's faith is COUNTED for righteousness, i.e., the righteousness of Jesus Christ is imputed to one's heavenly record by faith.

“Repentance is the recognition of my sinnership — the owning before God that I am as vile as He has declared me to be in His holy Word.”

SOURCE: Except Ye Repent, by Dr. Harry Ironside, chapter 3

All that God requires for salvation is that we receive Christ's death, burial and resurrection as full-payment for our sins. Concerning salvation, “repentance” does NOT mean to cease from sinful bad habits, nor turn over a new leaf, nor make a full surrender to Christ, nor to forsake the world, nor to even be willing to turn away from sinning. A person may do all of these things and yet never have believed the Gospel at all. The Gospel is Good News to simply be believed, and not conditions to be achieved.

Dr. Mark G. Cambron Is 100% Correct On Repentance

Acts 20:21, “Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Here is an excellent and needful writing by Bible Professor Mark G. Cambron (1911-2000) on the subject of REPENTANCE. Please read the following quote carefully, because Dr. Cambron is one of few theologian who gets it right, that is, he understands the simplicity of the Gospel and that repentance does not mean turning from sin as proponents of Lordship Salvation foolishly teach...

Repentance is necessary for salvation.

The Greek word for repent is metanoeo, which, translated into English is: to change ones mind. It does not mean to turn from sin. That would add works to salvation.

Repentance for salvation means a change of mind from men's ideas of salvation and religion, to an acceptance of Gods only way of salvation.

This results in a completely new creation, not a reformation of the old. The old nature remains as evil as ever after salvation and has not been reformed . . . The old nature can now be controlled by the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit.

God guarantees salvation. This is His gift to us.

God guarantees reward and fruit to the obedient son.

God guarantees chastening and loss of rewards to the disobedient son.

God does not cast out disobedient children, but in some cases, does take them home. He does not permit His children to live as they please without His discipline and guidance.
Many teach repentance for salvation incorrectly, by including some form of human effort or righteousness, such as willingness to turn from sin, or turning from sin. This is heresy and has confused many people. It adds works to salvation and causes many to not understand Gods great gift. It is probation, not salvation. It is completely unscriptural. It is Galatianism and a counterfeit of the gospel.

It is a tragedy that many Christians live shallow Christian lives. The Cambron Institute is dedicated to the task of training Christian men and women in the importance of total dedication and making Jesus the Lord of their lives not to be saved but because they are saved.
Shallow Christianity cannot be cured by adding works to salvation.

Salvation is not the result of what we do, but is by receiving what God has done for us. Acts 13:38-39; Acts 20:20: Galatians 1:8-9; Galatians 2:4; Galatians 2:21; Galatians 3:1-3; Galatians 5:1-4; Ephesians 2:8-10; II Corinthians 5:21; John 3:16-18; Philippians 3:9; Titus 3:5-8; II Corinthians 11:13-15.

SOURCE: The Cambron Institute

Professor Cambron taught at Tennessee Temple University for many years, and then went to work teaching at Florida Bible College in Tampa, Florida until his went to Heaven in 2011. Dr. Cambron was exactly right about repentance. The best way to interpret the Bible is to let it speak for itself. There is no mystery what the word “repent” means in the Greek. As Dr. Cambron points out, repent means “a change of mind,” nothing more or less.

There's Nothing About “Repent Of Your Sins” In God's Gospel Tract

John 20:31, “But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.”

To all you stupid pastors who keep telling people to "Repent of your sins" to be saved, here is God's Gospel tract according to John 20:31. See if you can find anything about "repenting of your sins" to get to Heaven! The word "repent" is not even mentioned once in the Gospel of John, but you will find the word "believe" mentioned 85 times.

The Gospel Of John

God's Amazing Grace

Genesis 6:8, “But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.”

Our text passage of Scripture is the first mention of the word “grace” in the inspired Holy Bible. The only way that anyone has ever been saved is through faith by God's grace. As we all know, nothing in life is free. Even salvation isn't free, it cost God His only begotten Son. Eternal life for you and me cost Jesus His life. The only biological Son of God was also the Lamb of God of God, who was beaten beyond recognition, stripped naked, mocked and crucified to pay our massive debt of sin. Mercy is God not giving us what we do deserve; Grace is God giving us what we don't deserve. Those who have everything but grace have nothing; those who have nothing but grace, have everything.

I need to warn you about Peter S. Ruckman (1921-2016) and his bully cult of followers who foolishly teach that no one was saved or had eternal security in the Old Testament. Beware of the Bible Baptist Church in Pensacola, Ruckman's cult. One of Ruckman's most devoted cult followers is Dr. William P. Grady. Listen to yourself to Pastor Grady say that no one was ever saved in the Old Testament. That is bizarre! It's hard to believe that Dr. Grady was one of my Bible professors at Hyles-Anderson College in the late 1980's. Dr. Grady's true colors are now showing—a damnable false prophet who is wrong on Bible repentance.

The inspired Holy Bible is very clear that salvation has always been by God's grace without works, lest salvation by a debt owed by God instead of a gift provided by grace. Romans 4:4-5, “Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.” A gift cannot be purchased, because it has already been paid for by the giver.

Noah found grace in God's sight; therefore, God's mercy followed, and only the forgiven can be blessed. Titus 1:4, “To Titus, mine own son after the common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour.” Before anyone can obtain mercy from God, you must first find His grace, which is free through faith alone in Jesus Christ. Romans 5:1-2, “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.”

The Christian life is all about grace! Hebrews 4:16, “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” No one can be deemed righteous in the sight of God the Father except through faith in His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ...

Philippians 3:9-11, “And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.”

Once you're in CHRIST, you're safe and have everything you need. God's grace is truly more than amazing! We hear much today in apostate Bible colleges and churches about, “Repent of your sins,” to get to Heaven, but no such teaching is taught in the inspired King James Bible (the only Bible that you can trust). All of the modern Bible revisions have been corrupted by Satan. If you don't have a King James Bible, you don't have an inspired Holy Bible!!!

To no surprise, the Devil's modern Bible revisions have completely removed God's grace...

KING JAMES BIBLE (KJB) - Romans 16:24, “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.”

NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION (NIV) - Missing

ENGLISH STANDRD VERSION (ESV) - Missing

GOD'S WORD TRANSLATION (GW) - Missing 

CHRISTIAN STANDARD BIBLE (CSB) -  Missing

GOOD NEWS TRANSLATION (GNT) -  Missing 

COMMON ENGLISH BIBLE (CEB) -  Missing

EASY-TO-READ VERSION (ERV) -  Missing

NEW LIVING TRANSLATION (NLT) -  Missing

NEW ENGLISH TRANSLATION (NET) -  Missing

TREE OF LIFE VERSION TLV) -  Missing

Dear reader, it matters which Bible you use! The Devil's hands have been busy. Don't ever forget that the Devil is a pathetic liar, who works relentlessly to confuse as many people as he can. Satan's only will for your life is to hinder you from doing God's will. The Devil wants to blind you, so that you will spend eternity burning in the fires and torments of Hell with him (2nd Corinthians 4:3-4; Revelation 14:11).

Please don't get sucked into Satan's fallacy that you cannot be saved unless you're first willing to forsake a lifestyle of sinning. That is the Devil's lie of Lordship Salvation (mixing works with grace), and not the free grace of God that brings salvation. Titus 2:11, “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men...” Jesus died on the cross to pay everyone's debt of sin, so that we wouldn't have to pay for our own sins in the Lake of Fire forever. That being said, you must accept God's free gift of eternal life, by placing your childlike faith (trust, reliance) in Christ's work of redemption through Calvary's cross. Simply believe that Jesus did it all for you.

Bible repentance is changing your mind from unbelief to belief. Our only contribution dear reader in God's gift of salvation is the sin that made it necessary.

Good works are not the payment for sin, the payment for sin is death. Christ died on a cross for the sins of the whole world (1st John 2:2).

Salvation is not a reward for the righteous, it is a gift for the guilty!

Salvation is not doing your best, it is having Christ's best put to your account through receiving Him by faith.

Turning away from sinful ways would be a work. Faith puts all of the merit where it belongs, on the object of our faith, Jesus and His work.

If to “repent” means to forsake our sinful ways TO BE SAVED, but Jesus already paid for our sins by dying on the cross, then what are we repenting from?

The true Gospel always points you to CHRIST; a false gospel always points to YOU.

We must stay true to the simplicity of the Gospel. Repentance regarding salvation is a change of mind from unbelief to belief!!! We must earnestly contend for the faith (Jude 1:3).

Great Memes On Salvation To Share

Deep Repentance Is Not Required To Be Saved

Acts 16:29-31: “Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas, And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.”

In our text passage of Scripture above, the invitation to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ to be saved was also extended to the Philippian jailor's entire family, if they would also individually believe on the name of Jesus. No group has ever been saved as a whole; but rather, as individuals. Salvation is a personal matter. We were born into the world alone, we will die alone, and whether we go to Heaven or Hell is solely up to the individual person. What will you do with Jesus dear reader? Have you been bon again? I did, at age 13 in Chicago.

When I attended Campus Church cult at Pensacola Christian College (PCC) in 2021, their unlearned associate pastor Timothy Zacharias wickedly deceived thousands of people at a Wednesday evening Bible study, saying that to be saved you must first experience a deep profound radical feeling of hatred and guilt over your sins, and have a sincere desire to turn away from those sins. Kindly said, Pastor Zacharias is a fool.

Dr. Curtis Hutson wisely said...

“The fella who knows what repentance is knows it's included in believing.” —Pastor Curtis Hutson (1934-1995)

Dear reader, if you are a soulwinning Christian you don't need to even mention the topic of repentance to a lost sinner to lead them to Jesus Christ, because the man who believes has repented. In fact, mentioning the subject of repentance will likely confuse them, as seen in this terrible confrontation of a woman on an airplane by false prophet Ray Comfort.

Now, in the following quote, I don't like that Evangelist John R. Rice (1895-1980) uses the phrase “turn from sin,” simply because it's not found anywhere in the inspired King James Bible. That being said, Dr. Rice gets it 100% correct that the man who BELIEVES in Jesus has repented...

Repentance is not a different plan of salvation from having faith: it is part of the same plan of salvation. Or rather repentance is simply another way of describing or looking at the plan of salvation. One who turns from sin to God has done so by trusting in Jesus Christ. A change of mind toward sin is necessarily involved in saving faith. [emphasis added]

SOURCE: Evangelist John R. Rice, “Acts: Filled With The Spirit,” pp. 251-252; Sword Of The Lord, Murfreesboro, Tennessee; ©1963

After listening to Pastor Zacharias' lies at PCC's Campus Church in 2021, I cringed and realized that if I were a lost sinner I would be too intimidated by what he said to ever come to Jesus Christ. I mean, if people have to first experience some radical sense of profound hatred, guilt and a sincere desire to forsake their sinful bad habits to get to Heaven, no one would ever get saved. Who can do that? No one has ever turned away from their sins!!! All you can do is clean up your life some, quit some sinful bad habits, but you're still a dirty sinner and so am I (Romans 3:10-23). There is no such thing as a “good Christian.” At best, all we can achieve is to be a struggling redeemed sinner who is yielding to the indwelling Spirit of Christ to live the Christian life through us (Romans 8:9; Galatians 2:20).

I was so shocked by what I had heard that the next morning on Thursday I emailed PCC's senior pastor Jeff Redlin. To no surprise that incompetent fool sided 100% with his ignoramous accomplice, saying that repentance means a sincere desire to forsake the sinning in your life and that your behavior will improve if you are really saved. That is Lordship Salvation.
My ministry friend Pastor Ralph Yankee Arnold said it well...

“Lordship Salvation is the unsupportable and unbiblical belief that the performance of good works, the promise of good works, or the evidence of good works, must accompany faith in Christ to establish or provide evidence that such faith has resulted in eternal life.” —Pastor Ralph Yankee Arnold, “Jesus Versus John MacArthur”

And Pastor Yankee Arnold also said these helpful words...

“Salvation is one thing and service is another, and never the two goes together. No man is saved because he serves, and no man has to serve because he is saved. Gotta keep them separate. And if you don't do it, the Scriptures will be confusing to you. You'll not rightly divide what God has to say.” —Pastor Ralph Yankee Arnold, "Why Lordship Salvation Is Wrong"

My favorite preacher's quote is from Pilgrim's Progress book author, John Bunyan...

“If you do not put a difference between justification wrought by the man Christ without and sanctification wrought by the Spirit of Christ within, you are not able to divide the Word aright; but contrariwise, you corrupt the Word of God, and cast stumbling blocks before the people.” —John Bunyan (1628-1688)

The simplest repentance (change of mind) is enough to obtain the new birth by the Holy Spirit. All that God requires is for a man to realize his need as a guilty SINNER for the SAVIOR, and that he by childlike faith receive Christ's sacrifice on the cross, burial and bodily resurrection as full payment for his sins.

Beware Of False Repentance

“Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders.” —Matthew 27:3

The world's churches are fast-becoming infiltrated with “Doctrines of Devils” as the Bible warns in 1st Timothy 4:1, “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils.” Notice carefully that these false prophets “shall depart from the faith,” or we can just as well say that they will begin teaching a false plan of salvation that requires more or less than faith. The Bible has always taught that good ole FAITH is what pleases God, and nothing else. Hebrews 11:6, “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”

So to start this article with a solid doctrinal foundation, let us establish that IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO PLEASE GOD WITHOUT FAITH. Salvation is solely by faith. Galatians 3:26, “For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.” Anything more or less than faith is not acceptable to God. Optimism (a positive outlook) is not faith. It falls short of being faith. Teaching that some degree of personal works is necessary to validate one's faith to be saved is a works-based plan of salvation. It is certainly not faith. Faith means to entrust the Savior, period.

Now Judas had a relationship with Jesus Christ, but still went to Hell forever. A “relationship” is not the gospel. I get tired of hearing radio preachers telling people to start a relationship with Jesus Christ. That is not God's plan of salvation. We read in Matthew 27:3 (our text verse above) that Judas “repented himself.” The Greek word for “repented” here is metamellomai and means “to care afterwards, that is, regret.” Judas was sorry that he got caught betraying the Lord. Judas felt embarrassed and lonely, having betrayed the best friend a man could ever have. Judas felt sorry for what he had done. However, feeling sorry is not repentance unto salvation. The Bible says that Judas repented, but then he went and commit suicide. But Judas had NO FAITH. In John 6:70 Jesus said that Judas had a devil in him.

There are a lot of false preachers today; such as, John MacArthur, Ray Comfort, Chip Ingram, Pat Roberson, Paul Crouch, Paul Washer, Jon Piper and William Lane Craig who pervert the Gospel, teaching that mere faith alone by itself is insufficient to save a sinner. That is a deadly teaching. They all teach their own version of the same corrupted Lordship Salvation lie that requires some amount of works to validate one's faith TO BE SAVED. That is, they mandate forsaking sinful bad habits and departing from the heathen world in order to be saved. These are heresies! You don't have to give up the act of sin to be saved; but rather, God gave up His only begotten Son for you and me, to pay for OUR SINS. Salvation is receiving, not giving. It is a free gift! It's not what you're doing that gets you to Heaven, it's where you're looking! LOOK TO JESUS!

Faith is receiving the Lord's death, burial and resurrection as full-payment for our sins. Judas felt sorrow and tried to return the money. Judas tried to turn over a new leaf, changing his wicked ways and making amends, but it was not possible. This is false repentance. This is the false plan of salvation that the Lordship Salvation crowd teaches. They demand that a person feel sorry and decide to turn over a new leaf or else they cannot trust Christ. It is a false way of salvation.

Likewise, neither you nor I can make amends for our past sins, nor can we undo the damage of our bad decisions and sins from the past. The very idea that we need to stop sinning as much as we used to in order to be saved is an insult to God. In effect, the Lordship Salvation crowd demands a changed life as a prerequisite to placing faith in Jesus Christ. Such blasphemy goes against everything the Bible teaches for salvation.

Biblical repentance is the admission that I am as guilty a sinner as God has declared me to be in His holy Word. Repentance is a change of mind. The purpose of God's law is to diagnose man's problem (which is sin), and then point us to the blessed Savior for the solution to our problem. Galatians 3:24, “Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.”

There Can Be No Reformation Until There Has Been Regeneration

The evil concept behind Lordship Salvation is that faith is not valid unless there is an accompanying desire to stop living a life of sin. Thus, Lordship Salvation requires qualification by reformation before there can be any regeneration. This is a false plan of salvation which leads to Hell.

This is exactly what Pastor Aiden Tozer taught. Mr. Tozer errantly states:

“In the Bible the offer of pardon on the part of God is conditioned upon intention to reform on the part of man. There can be no spiritual regeneration till there has been a moral reformation” (The Best of A.W. Tozer, Book 2, pp. 115-117; Compiled by Warren W. Wiersbe)

Wrong! How then is salvation a free gift? Salvation is receiving, NOT giving. Mr. Tozer requires sinners to “reform” themselves before they can be saved. This goes totally contrary to the plainest teaching in the Bible. Romans 4:5, “But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.” Mr. Tozer is teaching works salvation!!! Salvation is a free gift, freely given and freely received. Where in the Gospel message does the Bible teach that “intent to reform” is necessary for salvation? It does not!

What the Bible does teach is found in 2nd Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” Hence, the change can only come AFTER a man is IN CHRIST. So, Biblically, there can be no reformation until there has first been regeneration. That is, “YE MUST BE BORN AGAIN” (John 3:5-7). The indwelling of the Holy Spirit (i.e., the Spirit of Christ, Romans 8:9) is what changes a man. Therefore, it is a false doctrine to require any reformation, or intent to reform, as a prerequisite to being born-again.

All that God requires is for a person to “Repent ye, and believe the gospel” (Mark 1:15). It does not say, “repent ye, and stop living in sin.” Nor does it say to “Reform ye, and believe the gospel.” To teach that repentance means “intent to reform” is false repentance. The Greek word for “repent” in Mark 1:15 is metanoeo and means “a change of mind.” Thus, Biblical repentance is acknowledging one's SINNERSHIP! It does not mean ceasing from one's sins, forsaking the sinful world nor having intention to cease from committing sins.

The popular allegation by proponents of Lordship Salvation is that the easy-believism crowd thinks a person can get saved and continue living in gross immorality unchecked by God. I DO believe that if a person experiences genuine repentance unto salvation that there WILL BE some inner changes in that person's life. This is clearly taught by 2nd Corinthians 5:17. Albeit, those spiritual changes may not manifest themselves outwardly to your satisfaction. As Pastor Curtis Hutson often said, “You cannot tell how much fuel is in a car's tank by the sound of the horn.” Salvation is immediate, but sanctification is a lifetime process. Dr. Jack Hyles does an excellent job explaining this subject in his work, SALVATION IS MORE THAN BEING SAVED. I love what John Bunyan (1928-1988) said:

“If you do not put a difference between justification wrought by the man Christ without and sanctification wrought by the Spirit of Christ within, you are not able to divide the Word aright; but contrariwise, you corrupt the Word of God, and cast stumbling blocks before the people.” —John Bunyan

A changed life is the FRUIT of the indwelling Holy Spirit, if we walk in Him, and not a part of the ROOT of saving faith. Fruit has nothing to do with salvation, neither before, during or after getting born-again. We must never associate fruit with salvation (i.e., the new birth). Galatians 5:25, “If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” I love this Bible verse, because it clearly shows that living in the Spirit (indwelt with the Holy Spirit at salvation) is not the same thing as walking in the Spirit (which is discipleship). As Christians we “should” live soberly, righteously and godly in Christ Jesus. Titus 2:11-12, “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;” Every believer SHOULD live for Jesus, which the Apostle Paul said in Romans 12:1-2 is our “reasonable service.”

By only reading the Old Testament, we'd never know that Lot was saved. But we learn in 2nd Peter 2:7 that Lot was a “just” (righteous) man. Judges 16:1 says that Samson went in unto a harlot (prostitute). King David murdered a woman's husband to cover up an unintended pregnancy from an adulterous affair. We know that David repented from what the Scriptures tell us, but the people in David's time didn't know that. I'm sure many of them considered David a reprobate concerning the faith. Apart from the direct testimony of a person's mouth, there is no way to determine whether they are saved or not.

Jesus Is Our Sabbath In Whom We Rest

Notice that the Bible teaches in the following Scripture passage that “DEAD WORKS” cannot save. Hebrews 6:1, “Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God.” That's salvation, that is, repenting from our dead works and placing our faith in Jesus Christ! Whereas working 6-days of the week pictured man's own self-righteousness under the Old Testament Mosaic law, the Sabbath Day pictured Christ IN WHOM WE REST FOR SALVATION.

Today, Jesus is our Sabbath! The Sabbath Day was an Old Testament ceremonial law which was finally nailed to the cross with Christ (Colossians 2:14-17). Thus, the Sabbath Day is no longer in effect today for Gentiles or Jews. JESUS IS OUR SABBATH!!! In Christ we rest completely for salvation. Hebrews 4:10, “For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.” That's good stuff my friend!

Repent Ye, And “Believe The Gospel”

Judas' repentance was a “false repentance” because it led him to Hell. Turning over a new leaf is not repentance or salvation. Judas turned away from his sins, but still went to Hell. The correct Biblical word for “repent” concerning salvation is found in Mark 1:15, “And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: REPENT ye, and believe the gospel.” The word “repent” here is the Greek word metanoeō and means, “a change of mind.” There is a drastic difference in meaning between the repentance which Judas experienced in Matthew 27:3, verses the repentance unto salvation in Mark 1:15. Notice that the OBJECT of repentance in Mark 1:15 is to “BELIEVE THE GOSPEL.” The Bible doesn't say “Repent ye, and forsake your sins”; but rather, “Repent ye, and believe the gospel.”

Judas felt emotional guilt and remorse for his actions, which is penitence, not repentance. That penitence led Judas to want to make a mend for his sins, which is why Judas returned the thirty pieces of silver. But this is penance, nor repentance. Judas penitence and penance led him to reform his ways, turning from his sins. This is false repentance, aka, Lordship Salvation. Judas felt guilty and decided to return the 30 pieces of silver. Judas tried to change his ways, but that is not salvation. Matthew 27:3 says that Judas “repented himself,” but this is a different Greek word (metamellomaiin, meaning, “to regret”) than metanoia (“a change of mind” unto the Gospel itself) used concerning salvation. Judas turned from his sins, which is human reformation, not Biblical repentance (which is “a change of mind” unto the Gospel itself). John 6:47, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.” To “believe” the Gospel simply means that you are taking God at His Word, that you are persuaded Jesus died on the cross for your sins, He was buried, and He resurrected from the dead three days later! You either believe or you don't! I do and I hope you do too my friend.

The Lordship Salvation crowd today foolishly teach that people MUST feel sorry and remorseful concerning their sins, to the point that they cease from committing sinful bad habits and surrender their life to live for Jesus Christ. That's exactly what Judas did. This is a false gospel rooted in man's own self-righteous effort. It's a self-righteous philosophy that corrupts the Gospel. In sharp contrast, the correct meaning of “repent” (as concerns salvation), simply means that a person acknowledges the truth that they are a guilty sinner (Romans 3:19), which shows them their need for redemption and points them to believe on the Savior to be saved (Galatians 3:24-25).

If you simply think about the nature of a gift, then it becomes clear what is wrong with the teaching of Lordship Salvation. If I offer you a free gift on the basis that you must first agree to stop throwing snowballs at my house, then it is in fact a reward instead of a gift. A gift is something acquired WITHOUT compensation. This is why we read in Romans 4:5, “But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.” The Bible says that salvation is to him that WORKETH NOT!!! A person's faith is COUNTED for a lifetime of perfect righteousness! No one can enter into Heaven unless they are 100% perfect.

Since we are all imperfect needy sinners, no one can be saved by keeping the deeds of the law (Romans 3:20). But with God all things are possible (Matthew 19:26; John 1:12-13)! Jesus did live a perfect life. The Lord never broke God's law. Jesus is sinless. Jesus is the perfect Lamb of God, Who was slain on the cross as a sacrifice for our sins. John 1:29, “The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” Jesus died as our sacrificial Lamb on the cross, and He raised up as our heavenly High Priest three days later (Hebrews 4:14-16). Believe it oh sinner and you will be saved immediately, irrevocably and eternally!

Pastor Harry Ironside Has Repentance Correct

Pastor Harry A. Ironside (1876-1951) DIDN'T teach Lordship Salvation, he simply taught that Biblical repentance was necessary for salvation. Listen to what Pastor Harry Ironside correctly says about repentance in chapter 16 of his book, EXCEPT YE REPENT . . .

“In all that I have written I have failed completely to express what was surging up in my soul if I have given anyone the impression that I think of repentance as something meritorious which must be produced in man by self-effort ere he is fit to come to God for salvation.”

SOURCE: Dr. Harry Ironside, a quote from chapter 16, THE PREACHING THAT PRODUCES REPENTANCE, from his timeless classic book, EXCEPT YE REPENT

I agree 100%! The entire concept of Lordship Salvation is based in human effort. Most of our evangelical churches today have bought into the lie that it's not enough to believe the Gospel of Jesus Christ to be saved. The Gospel is that Jesus Christ DIED, was BURIED and RESURRECTED from the dead three days later (1st Corinthians 15:1-4). If you receive Christ's sacrifice on the cross as full payment for your sins, then you are saved. But don't I have to repent? Yes, of course! Biblical repentance is “a change of mind” that causes a person to believe the Gospel. Repentance is NOT a desire to stop sinning. Repentance is realizing that you are a SINNER and need the Savior, and so you believe the Gospel and are saved. Repentance is changing your mind about whatever was previously hindering you from completely resting in Christ for salvation.

Clearly, Ironside taught a Free Grace view of the Gospel. Consider further the following quote by Pastor Ironside...

“The Gospel is not a call to repentance, or to amendment of our ways, to make restitution for past sins, or to promise to do better in the future. These things are proper in their place, but they do not constitute the Gospel; for the Gospel is not good advice to be obeyed, it is good news to be believed. Do not make the mistake then of thinking that the Gospel is a call to duty or a call to reformation, a call to better your condition, to behave yourself in a more perfect way than you have been doing in the past …

Nor is the Gospel a demand that you give up the world, that you give up your sins, that you break off bad habits, and try to cultivate good ones. You may do all these things, and yet never believe the Gospel and consequently never be saved at all.”

SOURCE: Harry A. Ironside, from the sermon: 'What Is The Gospel?'

If you'd like to read further, please read ANOTHER GOSPEL?

Look back to our beginning verse in Matthew 27:3. It says that Judas repented and then went back to the chief priests and the elders to return the money. They refused and dealt harshly with him. Judas panicked and emotions overwhelmed him. Judas killed himself. There's criminals in this world who can kill someone in cold blood and not feel one bit of guilt or remorse. Evidently, Judas wasn't a cold-hearted criminal since he did feel guilt, but he failed to seek forgiveness in Christ. Apart from faith in the name of Jesus there can be no salvation (Acts 4:10-12).

Jesus, knowing that Judas was a known thief (John 12:6), chose Judas to be an Apostle in accordance with God's sovereign will. Never underestimate the will of God in your life. Sometimes things may seem all wrong, forever in shambles and hopeless, but God truly does work in mysterious ways. In hindsight we see the purpose of Judas being made an Apostle in God's plan, but at the time the other Apostles probably wondered why Jesus chose such a shady man to join their group. I mean, would you put a known thief in charge of your group's money bag? Jesus made Judas their treasurer, knowing that Judas loved money, was unsaved and according to John 6:70 had a devil in him. God works in mysterious ways!

Judas didn't believe on Christ and had never learned the sweetness of God's love and forgiveness. Peter knew of these things. Sadly, Judas is in Hell today, but Peter is in Heaven. When asked by the Lord Whom He was, Peter exclaimed, “THOU ART THE CHRIST, THE SON OF THE LIVING GOD”!!! Amen and amen!!! Matthew 16:16, “And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Judas never expressed such faith in the Lord, because he had none.

May I again quote the helpful words of Pastor Harry A. Ironside...

“Repentance is the very opposite of meritorious experience. It is the confession that one is utterly without merit, and if he is ever saved at all it can only be through the merits of our Lord Jesus Christ, 'who gave himself a ransom for all.' Here is firm footing for the soul who realizes that all self-effort is but sinking sand. Christ alone is the Rock of our salvation.”

SOURCE: Harry A. Ironside; Except Ye Repent, p. 36)

Clearly, Ironside taught a Free Grace view of the Gospel. Dr. Ironside correctly recognized repentance as the confession that “one is utterly without merit” and that if one is “ever saved at all it can only be through the merits of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Salvation is without works of self-righteousness. Romans 4:5 plainly teaches that a man's faith is COUNTED for righteousness, i.e., the righteousness of Jesus Christ is imputed to one's heavenly record by faith.

“Repentance is the recognition of my sinnership — the owning before God that I am as vile as He has declared me to be in His holy Word.”

SOURCE: 'Except Ye Repent,' by Dr. Harry Ironside, chapter 3

Here is one of the best quotes that I've found on repentance, by Dr. Harry A. Ironside:

“Which comes first, repentance or faith? In Scripture we read, 'Repent ye, and believe the gospel.' Yet we find true believers exhorted to 'repent, and do the first works.' So intimately are the two related that you cannot have one without the other. The man who believes God repents; the repentant soul puts his trust in the Lord when the Gospel is revealed to him. Theologians may wrangle over this, but the fact is, no man repents until the Holy Spirit produces repentance in his soul through the truth. No man believes the Gospel and rests in it for his own salvation until he has judged himself as a needy sinner before God. And this is repentance.” ('Except Ye Repent,' p. 16)

Also, Dr. Hal Lindsey has repentance Biblically correct, who states:

“Repentance, as it relates to Christ, means to change our minds about Him, who He is and what He's done to provide forgiveness, and deliverance from our sins. When we place faith in Jesus as having taken our place personally on the cross and borne the penalty due our sins, then we're automatically repenting, because we couldn't accept Him in this way without having to change or minds in some way concerning Him.” (From the Liberation of the Planet Earth, by Hal Lindsey. (p. 133)

Good Works Cannot Undo A Person's Bad Works

Judas had experienced false repentance. He felt guilt and tried to undo the evil he had done. Judas thought this would make the guilt go away. It made it worse. The cold-hearted Pharisees didn't care. They even tried to shift all the blame on Judas, but they were equally as guilty. The Pharisees were cold-hearted criminals. Judas was actually doing what most people are still doing today, that is, trying to do good works to undo the bad. Many religions teach this nonsense. Listen friend, you can't do good works to make up for the bad. If you steal something from someone and then bring it back, you still sinned. Jesus died on the cross for that sin. Judas sinned and should have went to God for forgiveness, but instead he tried to do perform some good works. Good works will NEVER make things right between your soul and God!

The unbiblical idea that faith must be validated before a person can have the assurance of their salvation is satanic. Faith is faith, you either have it or you don't. There is no dividing line between intellectual assent to the philosophy of Christianity verses actually trusting upon the Savior. You either believe or you don't.

Dr. Chip Ingram errantly teaches that a person is not saved until they believe “TO THE POINT” (those are his own words) that they turn away from a past life in sin...

“But now the ball's in your court. If you would like Jesus as your Savior. Saving faith is getting in the wheelbarrow. Trusting in His work on the cross, His payment for your sin, His resurrection TO THE POINT that you say, I turn away and repent from my past life in sin, I change my mind and I trust, I get in the wheel-barrow." [emphasis added]

SOURCE: Dr. Chip Ingram, sermon quote, “Fatal Assumption: Exposing The Myths Of Being Born Again - Part Two”

My friend, there are no conditions of salvation. Although he did preach Lordship Salvation elsewhere unfortunately, Pastor Charles H. Spurgeon say it correctly here...

“'Repentance' is a grace. Some people preach it as a condition of salvation. Condition of nonsense!” —Pastor Charles Spurgeon

SOURCE: http://www.spurgeon.org/sermons/0044.htm (Charles Spurgeon, from a sermon titled: ;REPENTANCE UNTO LIFE,; preached at the New Park Street Chapel, Southwark, on September 23, 1855)

As I mentioned, Pastor Spurgeon did make some heretical statements at times in his thousands of sermons, which the proponents of Lordship Salvation cherry-pick to support their damnable heresy. But Spurgeon got it 100% correct in the preceding statement! He is not saying that repentance is not necessary for salvation. What Spurgeon is saying is that repentance is NOT A WORK. It is a grace, that is, “For BY GRACE are ye saved through faith...” (Ephesians 2:8). Grace is God's mercy, kindness and gentleness toward sinful mankind, offering redemption through faith in Jesus Christ. Eternal life is a free gift! Those who teach repentance as a condition (work) for salvation have woefully corrupted the Gospel. In simplest words, you DON'T have to turn from your sinful bad habits to be saved. That is reformation, not repentance! Repentance is simply a change of mind from unbelief to belief.

Repentance is simply acknowledging THE TRUTH that you are a guilty sinner, and that Jesus is the Savior. 2nd Timothy 2:25, “In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;” As you can see, repentance is not turning from sins, it is acknowledging THE TRUTH that you are a needy sinner. And then we are saved by placing our confidence (trust) in THE TRUTH of the Gospel, being persuaded that Jesus is the Christ Who died on the cross for our sins, was buried, and bodily resurrected the third day. Colossians 1:5, “For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel;” We don't repent AND believe, we repent TO believe! We are not saved by repenting, we are saved by believing, but no man has ever believed who didn't also repent.

Repentance is not a separate act from believing, it simply facilitates believing, because we need to know what we are being saved from, our sins. Jesus didn't come so that we would turn from our sins to be saved, but to save us from our sins! Matthew 1:21, “And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.” You don't have to stop living in sin to be saved; but rather, Jesus died for your sins so that hopefully you wouldn't live that way anymore. 2nd Timothy 2:19, “Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.”

A redeemed child of God SHOULD live for Jesus, because we were created unto good works, not by them. Ephesians 2:8-10, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” Please notice again the words “we should” walk in them. God bless you dear reader and thank you.

Repentance From Sins Is Keeping The Law And A False Gospel

2nd Timothy 2:25-26,  “In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.”

Carefully notice if you will, that our text passage of Scripture DOES NOT teach to “repent of your sin” to get to Heaven;' but rather, it says to repent to simply acknowledge THE TRUTH. Dear reader, I will quote Pastor Harry Ironside (1876-1951) who said it perfectly:

“Repentance is the very opposite of meritorious experience. It is the confession that one is utterly without merit, and if he is ever saved at all it can only be through the merits of our Lord Jesus Christ, 'who gave himself a ransom for all.' Here is firm footing for the soul who realizes that all self-effort is but sinking sand. Christ alone is the Rock of our salvation.”

SOURCE: Pastor Harry A. Ironside; 'Except Ye Repent,' p. 36

Clearly, Pastor Ironside taught a free grace view of the Gospel. Consider further the following edifying quote by Pastor Harry Ironside (who is one of my favorite preachers by the way)...

“The Gospel is not a call to repentance, or to amendment of our ways, to make restitution for past sins, or to promise to do better in the future. These things are proper in their place, but they do not constitute the Gospel; for the Gospel is not good advice to be obeyed, it is good news to be believed. Do not make the mistake then of thinking that the Gospel is a call to duty or a call to reformation, a call to better your condition, to behave yourself in a more perfect way than you have been doing in the past …

Nor is the Gospel a demand that you give up the world, that you give up your sins, that you break off bad habits, and try to cultivate good ones. You may do all these things, and yet never believe the Gospel and consequently never be saved at all.”

SOURCE: Harry A. Ironside, from the sermon: 'What Is The Gospel?'

I love it! I couldn't have explained the truth any better.

Repentance is absolutely necessary to be saved, but to repent (Greek verb: metanoeo) simply means “to think differently,” nothing else. So we need supplemental information to know what to change our mind about. From rightly dividing the Word of Truth, one can only conclude that salvation comes only by faith in Jesus Christ alone, and thus repentance simply facilitates (makes possible) BELIEVING, and it is believing that saves a man, not repentance; but both are necessary to be saved. Repentance can only be a change of mind to admit that you are a needy SINNER in the eyes of a holy God, and Jesus is the only SAVIOR in whom you must trust to receive God's free gift of eternal life. Anything else would constitute the WORKS OF THE LAW for salvation, which the Bible condemns (Romans 3:20).

Repentance from sins and faith in Christ are two separate gospels! Only faith saves!

Repentance from sins cannot save, it’s putting people under the Law. If you break one point of the Law, you have broken it all. No one can be saved by attempting to keep the Law. We are saved by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone.

“For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.” (James 2:10).

“But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.” (Galatians 3:11)

“For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.” (Galatians 3:10)

“Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:” (Galatians 3:13)

“For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise.” (Galatians 3:18)

“For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.” (Romans 4:2-3)

“For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect: Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression.” (Romans 4:14-15)

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.” (John 6:47)

“Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.” (Romans 3:28)

If you’re not a believer in Christ with childlike faith—also known as easy-believism—you’re not saved!

The inspired King James Bible teaches to repent of unbelief and dead works (Hebrews 6:1), NOT from your sin to be saved (which is the Devil's Lordship Salvation LIE). Bible believing saints must refute the damnable “repent of your sins” garbage. We must expose the Lordship Salvation fallacy, which prevents the required new birth to enter into God's Kingdom.

“Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.” (Galatians 2:16)

Corrupt pastors who tell people to “Repent of your sins” to be saved are preaching another gospel, which is accursed by God (Galatians 1:6-9).

“I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.” (Galatians 2:21)

“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;” (Titus 3:5)

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.” (John 6:47)

In all of the preceding Scripture passages, not one word is said of repenting from your sins to be saved. Woe unto the wicked Baptist pastors and other religious cults today who embellish, change and pervert God's simple plan of salvation. RIGHT DOCTRINE MATTERS!!!

Most Pastors Are Wrong On The Gospel

Acts 15:1 and 24, “And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved. ...Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment...”

I love this passage of inspired Scripture from the King James Bible. A group of unsaved false prophets came to Jerusalem preaching another gospel, saying that you must keep the law (i.e., turn from your sins) to be saved. As a result of this false teaching, quite a controversy was stirred in Jerusalem. The matter was brought to the attention of Jesus' disciples. The Apostle James clears up the matter in Acts 15:24 by confirming that the apostles DID NOT preach such damnable heresy!

I recently found this meme below, which is excellent. Truly a picture is worth a thousand words. The meme emphasis the many alterations and perversions which exist today concerning God's simple of salvation. ...

Thankfully, we do not have to wonder or speculate what the true Gospel (which means “Good News”) is because the inspired Word of God plainly tells us...

1st Corinthians 15:1-6, “Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.”

The Gospel is comprised of THREE things:

1. Jesus DIED on a cross to pay for our sins
2. Jesus was BURIED
3. Jesus bodily RESURRECTED from the dead three days later

These are the FACTS which you must place your trust (faith, reliance) in to be saved. Simply take God at His Word as recorded in the inspired Holy Bible, believing the record which God has given to humanity concerning His only begotten Son, Jesus, the Christ. John 20:31, “But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.” The purpose for which God authored the Book of John is to convince you and me, the readers, that Jesus came to earth as God in the flesh, the only biological (begotten) Son of almighty God; and to convince us that Jesus is the Christ, the promised Messiah who would take away the sins of the world. John 1:29, “The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.”

I praise and thank God for the small handful of faithful Bible preachers who teach Bible repentance correctly. One such godly man is Mark Cambron (1911-2000), who penned these helpful words...

Dr. Mark G. Cambron Has Repentance 100% Correct

Here is an excellent and needful writing by Dr. Mark G. Cambron (1911-2000) on the subject of REPENTANCE. Please read the following quote carefully, because Dr. Cambron is one of few theologian who gets it, that is, he understands the simplicity of the Gospel and that repentance does not mean turning from sin as proponents of Lordship Salvation foolishly teach...

Repentance is necessary for salvation.

The Greek word for repent is metanoeo, which, translated into English is: to change ones mind. It does not mean to turn from sin. That would add works to salvation.

Repentance for salvation means a change of mind from men's ideas of salvation and religion, to an acceptance of Gods only way of salvation.

This results in a completely new creation, not a reformation of the old. The old nature remains as evil as ever after salvation and has not been reformed . . . The old nature can now be controlled by the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit.

God guarantees salvation. This is His gift to us.
God guarantees reward and fruit to the obedient son.
God guarantees chastening and loss of rewards to the disobedient son.

God does not cast out disobedient children, but in some cases, does take them home. He does not permit His children to live as they please without His discipline and guidance.

Many teach repentance for salvation incorrectly, by including some form of human effort or righteousness, such as willingness to turn from sin, or turning from sin. This is heresy and has confused many people. It adds works to salvation and causes many to not understand Gods great gift. It is probation, not salvation. It is completely unscriptural. It is Galatianism and a counterfeit of the gospel.

It is a tragedy that many Christians live shallow Christian lives. The Cambron Institute is dedicated to the task of training Christian men and women in the importance of total dedication and making Jesus the Lord of their lives not to be saved but because they are saved.

Shallow Christianity cannot be cured by adding works to salvation.

Salvation is not the result of what we do, but is by receiving what God has done for us. Acts 13:38, 39; Acts 20:20: Gal. 1:8,9; Gal. 2:4; Gal. 2:21; Gal. 3:1.3; Gal. 5:1-4; Eph. 2:8-10; II Cor. 5:21;John 3:16-18; Phil. 3:9; Titus 3:5-8:11 Cor. 11:13-1 5.

SOURCE: The Cambron Institute

I’m really sick and tired of people corrupting the Gospel of Christ and God’s plan of salvation. Lordship Salvation is a LIE STRAIGHT FROM SATAN. I’m all for turning from sin in Christ's strength as a Christian, but turning from sin is NOT what it means to repent to be saved. Matthew 27:3 tells us that Judas Iscariot repented of his sins, but sadly Judas died in his sins and went to Hell forever. Judas never changed his mind (which is what true repentance means) to admit that he was a guilty sinner, and that Jesus is the only Savior.

Jonah 3:10 says, “And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way. Turning from their evil way was WORKS.” Turning from sin is WORKS! That is a good work, but it is still a self-righteous work. And Titus 3:5 says, “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost.” According to Jonah 3:10, turning from sin is a work.

If you tell a lost person that they must “turn from sin” (or be willing to turn from sin) to be saved, you are preaching a WORKS-BASED PLAN OF SALVATION. A lost person can turn from sin and still go to Hell as a reformed, religious person. Satan's greatest weapon is to con people into living the Christian life without ever being born again. That is tragically what Roman Catholics, Mormons, Jehovah's Witnesses, Churches of Christ, Lutherans, Seventh-Day Adventists and other religious cults are all doing—living the Christian life without having ever been BORN AGAIN. Jesus said in no uncertain terms in John 3:3b, “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

I’m sick and I’m tired of Lordship Salvation, Wrong Repentance, Baptismal Regeneration, Sacramental Salvation and ALL FORMS of FALSE GOSPELS. People are horrifyingly headed to Hell to burn in fire and brimstone forever. WAKE UP dear reader! False prophets must stop corrupting the Gospel. The old adage is very true: If the shoe fits, wear it!

God loves you and I do too dear friend. I have never received a penny for all my 50,000 hours plus of hard work day and night on my website and blog ministry since 2002 when I began by God's grace. It has been my joy and privilege to live for OTHERS as I serve my blessed God, King, Lord and precious Savior, Jesus. Jesus is precious!!! Ephesians 5:16, “Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.”

The Gospel According To The Word Of God

One of my ministry friends named Arthur wrote his own Gospel tract, which I wanted to share with others. I encourage believers who are learned in the Scriptures to write their own Gospel tracts, because to be brutally honest 99% of the existing religious literature is total garbage:

Are you 100% certain that you would go to Heaven if you died today? That is the most important question anyone could ever ask themselves. There are many many religions in the world, each claiming that they are the path to God. But how do we know which of these paths to God is correct? The answer to this most important question can be found in the Bible, which is the Word of God. According to most religions, in order to go to Heaven one must do something in order to be accepted by God who will then allow that person entrance into Heaven. These works vary depending on the religion, and may include doing one’s best to stop sinning, doing a certain amount of good deeds, water baptism, observing certain sacraments, prayer, observing certain holy days etc... None of these works of religion provide the individual with any degree of certainty as to where they will spend eternity. The most that can be hoped for is that one’s good works will outweigh the bad and God will allow them entrance into Heaven.

But according to the Word of God, there is something that prevents man from having access to God on his own. That problem is sin. A holy God cannot allow sin into Heaven. The Word of God declares that all men and women are sinners. Romans 3:23, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Romans 3:10, "As it is written, there are none righteous, no not one." And the bad news does not end there. According to the Word of God there is a penalty for sin. Ezekiel 18:20, "The soul that sinneth, it shall die." Romans 6:23, "For the wages of sin is death. The penalty for sin is death." This includes not only physical death, but eternal punishment in a place called Hell. Hebrews 9:27, "And as it is appointed unto men to die once, and after this the judgment." Revelation 20:1, "And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast in the lake of fire. Committing just one sin would be enough to send a soul to Hell forever."

The Word of God makes it clear that we can never hope to justify ourselves through our good works. Isaiah 64:6, "But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousness is as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away." Galatians 2:16, "For by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified." If all men are sinners and God cannot allow sin into his presence, then how can one ever hope to make it into Heaven when they die? So far we seem to have an insurmountable problem. The only way for sin to be pardoned is through the shedding of blood. Hebrews 9:22b, "and without the shedding of blood there is no remission." Thankfully, God himself provided man a way to escape eternal punishment in Hell and a way to Heaven. Romans 5:8,9, "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him."

According to the Word of God, God the Son came to the earth in the form of a man, the Lord Jesus Christ, and offered himself as a blood sacrifice for the sins of every man, woman, and child that will ever live. After the Lord Jesus Christ died and shed his blood on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins, he was buried in a tomb, and three days later he rose bodily from the dead as proof that God the Father accepted his Son’s payment for our sins. The shed blood, death, burial, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ is known as the gospel, which means the good news. The good news is that our sin penalty has been paid in full through the Lord Jesus Christ’s death on the cross and shed blood, burial, and resurrection from the dead. 

The Lord Jesus Christ now offers everyone eternal life as a free gift through faith in the gospel. I Corinthians 15:1-4, "Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; by which also ye are saved if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures." Romans 3:25, "Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God." Romans 5:1, "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ."

Surely you realize that you are a sinner. Right now, in the quietness of your mind, place your trust in the Lord Jesus Christ’s death on the cross and shed blood, burial, and resurrection from the dead as the full payment for your sins. Trust in the gospel of Jesus Christ as your only hope of heaven. The moment that you do, you have at that second and forever, everlasting life which can never be taken away no matter what. I John 5:13, "These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God."