I recently read a discussion online between a Catholic and an Evangelical. The Catholic guy was talking about some friend of his who had previously led a sinful life but then converted, repented of his sins and was going to be baptised, and how his decision to become a Catholic would influence his life (no more dalliances with women, either marriage or celibacy). The Evangelical guy basically told him that is all nonsense and ''works salvation" since believing in Jesus is enough, you don't need to repent and, apparently, you don't need to change your lifestyle, either.
There is the whole Evangelical movement online which will basically tell you the same. But is it really Biblical? Can a person be truly saved if he says that he is a believer now but continues to lead the same sinful life he did before? Repentance is not optional, it is the command of God. The Gospel Coalition agrees:
While the apostle Paul was preaching in Athens, he said, “The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead” (Acts 17:30-31).
In other words, repentance is not optional. God will hold everyone accountable for their words and deeds (2 Corinthians 5:10).
Read the whole article over here.
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