The Process of Repentance

So then, my dear ones, just as you have always obeyed [my instructions with enthusiasm], not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence, continue to work out your salvation [that is, cultivate it, bring it to full effect, actively pursue spiritual maturity] with awe-inspired fear and trembling [using serious caution and critical self-evaluation to avoid anything that might offend God or discredit the name of Christ]. ¹³ For it is [not your strength, but it is] ^[a]God who is effectively at work in you, both to will and to work [that is, strengthening, energizing, and creating in you the longing and the ability to fulfill your purpose] for His good pleasure.  Philippians 2:12-13

The Amplified Bible’s translation of these verses are so descriptive, mainly because it shows that there is much more beyond our initial repentance and salvation that brings us into a relationship with Jesus that reconciles us back to God. It shows us that repentance leads to salvation and then that living out our salvation leads to continual repentance. Not from sin, but to become more like Jesus, that makes us not want to sin.

Work out in the Greek is katergazomai which means, to accomplish, achieve, to do that from which something results to bring about; to render one fit for a thing. In this case it means developing and growing in our spiritual maturity. When we accept Jesus as our Savior and Lord we are instilled with the desire and ability to act so we can then walk our salvation

But this can only happen when we utilize what Jesus accomplished for us. The way to do that is through reading and declaring Scripture, prayer and spending time in His presence. The more we do these things the more we repent (change our minds and hearts) towards God and who He created us to be. Repentance then becomes less of an act and more of a way of life that truly makes all things new. Knowing this we can stop trying to make repentance an act and instead let it flow through us. This effortless repentance not only changes us but will influence and engage others to want to have a relationship with Jesus too. And after all isn’t that what we were called to do.