KneEmail - a devotional by Mike Benson associated with Forthright Magazine
Righteousness 5
REPENTANCE IS ALSO an essential work of righteousness...
Proof of this is seen in the combination of Matthew 12:41 and Jonah 3:10. Jesus said that the Ninevites repented at the preaching of Jonah (Matt. 12:41). Of the Ninevites, the record says, "And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way..." ( Jonah 3:10). Repentance is equivalent to turning from evil. And the text says that when the Ninevites turned from their evil that God saw their works. Hence, repentance is classified in Scripture as falling into the category of works. It doesn't fall into the same category of works under consideration in Ephesians 2:8-9, Rom. 3:28 and Titus 3:5. It certainly isn't a work of merit whereby we can boast of earning our good standing with God. Rather, it coincides with the works of righteousness alluded to in Acts 10:35. The human activity exercised in repentance does not earn our salvation, but neither can salvation occur without the exercise of this essential work of righteousness. The Ninevites did not place God in their debt by virtue of their repentance. But neither would God have delivered them from destruction without obedience on their part. God would do His part when they did their part (B.J. Clarke).
KneEmail: "In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him" ( Acts 10:34b-35; cf. Jas. 2:24).