When people speak of repentance, they usually mean “turning completely from sin.” But is that even possible? I don’t know a single person who has ever fully accomplished it.
Of course it is a good thing to avoid sin and to feel genuine sorrow when we do fall. No question. But that is not what is required for salvation. Salvation is a free gift.
Here is a clear verse that shows turning from sin being described as a work:
“And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way…” (Jonah 3:10 KJV)
“When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he had compassion…” (Jonah 3:10 NIV)
In both translations, the key phrases—“their works” (KJV) and “what they did” (NIV)—translate the Hebrew word ma‘aseh (Strong’s), which means work, deed, labor, or doing.
Turning from sin, therefore—i.e., the kind of repentance described here—is something a person actively does. It is a work.
In the New Testament, repentance (along with baptism) was specifically required of the Jews because they had rejected and crucified their Messiah. They needed to repent of that national sin.
But today, we are saved by grace through faith—not by works or labor. Salvation is a gift.
“For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works…” Ephesians 2:8,9.
Roger Feenstra 