The Relationship Between Repentance, Heart Change, and Justification

True conversion and a thorough amendment of life are essential components of justification by faith, as they provide the necessary guarantee for a person's future loyalty to GodAERS 111.1+1. While the legal act of placing a penalty on a substitute vindicates the law regarding the past, God only justifies those whose hearts have been changed to no longer practice depredations against His governmentAERS 111.1+1.

The Order of Experience

• Repentance as the First Step: Repentance toward God is the very first step toward the justification of past wrongs and sinsARSH May 19, 1859, page 204.6. It is impossible for a sinner to amend their ways without first feeling genuine repentance for their past courseARSH May 19, 1859, page 204.6.

• The Gift of Repentance: This necessary repentance is not something man creates himself; it is a gift from Christ, who must first make the soul penitent before He pardons Acts 5:31ST December 5, 1892, par. 8+1.

• A Change of Heart: Justification by faith embraces a change of heart and a thorough amendment of life; without this conversion, no one can stand justified before GodAERS 111.1+1.

• Faith and Works: While good works do not save a soul, it is impossible for any soul to be saved without them, as they are the conditions for receiving justification and the righteousness of ChristFW 111.1+1.

The Manifestation of Justification

Once a person is justified, the reality of that experience is immediately seen in their actions. Justification by faith in Christ is made manifest through a transformation of character6BC 1071.1+2. This consistent Christian action serves as a sign to the world of the truth of the doctrines being professed6BC 1071.1+1.

Conditions for Receiving Grace

God saves us under a law where we must actively participate in the processFW 111.1. We are required to ask if we would receive, seek if we would find, and knock if we would have the door opened Matthew 7:7FW 111.1+1. This involves a life of obedience rather than refraining from sin for a short seasonAY 70.1. True justification is found only when we stop looking to our own efforts for power and instead submit to God's holy purposeARSH June 7, 1892, page 354.2. Only by taking the requisite steps of repentance, confession, and restitution can the sinner truly lay hold of Christ's righteousnessST September 2, 1889, par. 8.