Let’s consider for a few minutes where repentance fits in the sequence of coming to Christ. We noticed earlier that the first step to Christ is a desire for something better. Second, we gain a knowledge of what is better. Third, we are convicted of our sinful condition, and fourth, we realize we are helpless to save ourselves. That’s when we give up, or surrender, and come to Christ.

God doesn’t expect us to repent before we come to Christ; indeed, it would be impossible for us to do that. We come to Christ first, and then He gives us repentance.

“It was taught by the Jews that before God’s love is extended to the sinner, he must first repent. In their view, repentance is a work by which man earns the favor of Heaven. And it was this thought that led the Pharisees to exclaim in astonishment and anger, ‘This man receiveth sinners.’ According to their ideas He should permit none to approach Him but those who had repented. But in the parable of the lost sheep, Christ teaches that salvation does not come through our seeking after God but through God’s seeking after us. ‘There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way.’ Rom. 3:11, 12. We do not repent in order that God may love us, but He reveals to us His love in order that we may repent.” - Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 189.

So after we come to Christ, we come to realize the deadly character of sin by beholding His love for us, and thus become willing to accept His gift of repentance.

Repentance is not something we do, even though it’s something we do! Repentance is not our work; it is God’s work for us. But it does come before forgiveness. And if repentance precedes forgiveness, then repentance also precedes justification.

“Whom Christ pardons, He first makes penitent.” - Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing, p. 7.

Acts 2:38 is clear that repentance must take place before forgiveness.

“Peter said unto them, Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins.”

Sometimes people question the value of becoming so meticulous in trying to isolate and list in order each event in coming to Christ for salvation. It certainly isn’t so you can have a list and then check off each item as you proceed and know what to do next! But the enemy of God and man has a steady supply of misunderstandings along the way. And these can bring a barrier between us and God.

If we think we are to work on righteousness or faith or surrender or repentance or obedience or any of the other gifts that God is offering to give us freely, we can miss coming to Him. And coming to Him is the only way to receive His gifts.

Many of these separate aspects of coming to Christ-repentance and the new birth and forgiveness and justification-happen almost simultaneously. The purpose of separating them is in order to discuss them, so that we can clearly define what is our work and what is God’s work, what is cause and what is result.

The goodness of God leads us to repentance, according to Romans 2:4.

“Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?” - Romans 2:4

We cannot work on repentance, but we can choose to read His word or to listen to the living preacher where the goodness of God is uplifted. We cannot work on repentance, but we can come to Him. We cannot manufacture genuine sorrow for sin; we cannot turn away from sin in our own strength. But we can seek the Lord to do these things for us.

God delights to help those who cannot help themselves.