Do we add works to the gospel when we call nonbelievers to repent?
We are saved by grace through faith, and it is not our doing. Ephesians 2:8–9 makes that clear. But the call of the gospel, particularly from the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ, is a call to repentance and belief (Mark 1:14–15).
It is what the earlier question addressed—the good news is also bad news at the same time. So, repentance is the acknowledgment of my guilt before God; it is the confession and the relinquishing of my sin. And salvation is my receiving of His grace through the finished work of Jesus Christ.
This transcript is from a live Ask Ligonier event with H.B. Charles Jr. and has been lightly edited for readability. To ask Ligonier a biblical or theological question, email ask@ligonier.org or message us on Facebook or Twitter.
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H.B. Charles Jr.
Dr. H.B. Charles Jr. is pastor-teacher of Shiloh Metropolitan Baptist Church in Jacksonville, Fla. He is author of several books, including It Happens After Prayer: Biblical Motivation for Believing Prayer, On Preaching: Personal and Pastoral Insights for the Preparation and Practice of Preaching, and On Pastoring: A Short Guide to Living, Leading, and Ministering as a Pastor. He is host of The On Preaching Podcast.
