1 Timothy 1:5 English Standard Version (ESV) The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.

The issue for the need for repentance has to deal with a good conscience. Because God has justified us by faith in His Son’s work on the Cross and removed every sin, past, present and future. A one time sacrifice for sins that have not yet been committed must be able to acquit us of all sin.

Because we have been justified by faith, then the purpose of repentance cannot be for the acquittal of sins committed because they have already been justified before God. What repentance addresses is our conscience. We are human and we have feelings about what we have done that we know is wrong.

Shame keeps us from coming to those we respect and have a loving relationship. We allow shame to keep us from tending to those relationships. God knows them all and has forgiven them all so that sin is no longer a hindrance in relationships. Our shame for our behavior has become an obstacle in relationships. Repentance and forgiveness restores relationships for us. It did not and does not change God’s mind about us. It only affects how we feel about ourselves.

When we are in a relationship and we cannot honestly answer the other’s questions, then it shows that we do not value that relationship. When God the Father asks us on judgment day what we did with His Son Jesus Christ, we will be answering Him for every place we took Jesus. The abiding presence of Christ does not disappear or turn His back on us just because we go where we should not or sin at any moment. We take Jesus with us.

Our good conscience will remind us by faith that we have been down this road before and we know what lies ahead if we do not stop and turn around. We have to answer to God the Father if we do not heed the warning.

Romans 3:28 English Standard Version (ESV) For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law.

Now we will address these issues of how our salvation is questioned. Placing the focus on salvation which is an ongoing process, renewed every day. Our failures bring to question our salvation for a day, but not for eternity. Justification is the ledger upon which God has moved us out of the red into the black. You owe God nothing, Christ paid it all.

Romans 8:2 English Standard Version (ESV) For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.

John 8:36 English Standard Version (ESV) So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

Lamentations 3:22-24 English Standard Version

²² The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;his mercies never come to an end;
²³ they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
²⁴ “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.”

His mercy and grace are renewed daily because we are not yet perfected and it is this knowledge of our own condition that causes us to doubt our own salvation.

Romans 7:15 English Standard Version (ESV) For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate.

This confession by Paul is common for all of us and his answer to the problem is the same for all of us.

Romans 7:24-25a English Standard Version (ESV) Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!

Christ, knowing how we feel has made provision for those emotions through the offer of forgiveness for repentance.

It is faith that calls us to repent.