True faith is grounded in Christ’s work alone, not in anything we do. Yet, let me be clear: there is no pardon of sins without repentance (Luke 13:3; Acts 17:30). Repentance proceeds from faith; it does not precede faith. The cause of our pardon is Christ through faith. If repentance preceded faith, then our work of repentance would seem to be part of the ground for God to pardon us, which Scripture doesn’t teach.

The faith that is unto salvation is a penitent faith and the repentance that is unto life is a believing repentance. — John Murray,Redemption Accomplished and Applied, p. 119.
Repentance is a critical teaching of the Word of God. We are called to proclaim it in the name of Christ Jesus everywhere (Luke 24:47). Yet a question arises: must people repent of their sins and show a changed behavior, that is a changed life, before God grants justifying faith—faith that is the instrument by which God reconciles a sinful person to himself? Or does repentance follow faith? Which comes first—faith or repentance? And how do we know?
How Should We Define Repentance and Faith?
The Westminster Shorter Catechism has a helpful, biblically-based definition of repentance:
87. What is repentance unto life?
Repentance unto life is a saving grace, whereby a sinner, out of a true sense of his sin, and apprehension of the mercy of God in Christ, does, with grief and hatred of his sin, turn from it unto God, with full purpose of, and endeavor after, new obedience.
The Heidelberg Catechism gives a good biblical definition of true faith:
Question 21. What is true faith?
Answer: True faith is not only a certain knowledge, whereby I hold for truth all that God has revealed to us in his word, but also an assured confidence, which the Holy Ghost works by the gospel in my heart; that not only to others, but to me also, remission of sin, everlasting righteousness and salvation, are freely given by God, merely of grace, only for the sake of Christ’s merits. 
Repentance is turning from sin to obedience. Internally, it is a hatred of sin and a motivation to live in gratitude and love by obeying God’s commands. Externally it is changed conduct. Saving faith is a gift of God in our hearts leading us to trust him alone for our forgiveness, righteousness, and salvation, only because of what Christ has done for us. 
So, which comes first—faith or repentance? The answer is faith precedes repentance; it is a fruit of saving faith—not the other way around. A person is reconciled to God (justified) by faith alone, not by faith plus works. Yet, faith without repentance is not saving faith. Let me explain by considering what the Bible teaches.
The Bible Contains Various Passages regarding the Need for Repentance
The book of Acts records examples of the apostolic call to repent, believe, and be baptized; the call goes out in various combinations and order. In Acts 2:38,
Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
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God is in control and he is working all things for my good. Whatever comes my way, whether success or failure, victory or defeat, celebration or mourning, all have passed through the hands of my Father who loves me. Everything in my life is being used by God to sanctify me and bring me closer to himself. Here’s the good news according to Job 42:2: his plan can’t be thwarted. There is no power in this universe that can stop God’s working in my life.

Only the bravest people dare to venture outside in the middle of a Texas summer day. The rest of us are either in an air-conditioned building or near water. I have young children, and being inside all day supplies them with abundant energy that needs to be burned if there’s any hope of a decent bedtime. Thankfully, they love to swim, so we spend many hot summer days at the pool.
After one evening of swimming, as our kids were getting out of the water and drying off, I took the life vest off my three-year-old son and told him to get a towel. I then continued doing all the many tasks that needed to be done to get four wet children to the van. As I was drying another child, I happened to see my son getting back in the water. I knew he didn’t have his life vest on and couldn’t swim without it. In the brief moment between watching him go under and jumping in the pool after him, I saw him completely submerged in the water, unable to come up for air. I could sense his panic, but there was no loud splashing, gasping for air, or any noise we often associate with someone who’s drowning. It was silent, and had I not seen him go in, I might not have known.
That’s a terrifying thought.
It reminded me that there are many details of my life that are beyond my control. It’s easy to forget, isn’t it? It’s easy to tell ourselves that we are in the driver’s seat. Having a sense of control gives me comfort and eliminates fear, but the truth is I can’t guarantee anything. I do my absolute best to watch my kids at the pool, but the worst can happen quickly. I strive to drive carefully and obey traffic laws, but that doesn’t always prevent accidents. Hard work and loyalty at work go a long way, but some company layoffs can’t be prevented. Even with my best efforts, certain outcomes are simply beyond my control. Being reminded of this reality can tempt me to live in fear by avoiding situations in which I feel out of control. However, living in fear is antithetical to a life of faith.
How can believers face this lack of control without giving in to paralyzing fear?
The Sovereignty of God
While going through this uncertain life, the sovereignty of God is one of the most comforting truths for the believer. When fear and doubt leave my soul cold and shivering, being reminded of God’s sovereignty is a steaming cup of soup and a warm blanket.
Scripture teaches us that nothing is outside of God’s control. Consider these verses:

Our God is in the heavens; he does all that he pleases. (Ps. 115:3)
The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps. (Prov. 16:9)
O LORD, God of our fathers, are you not God in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. In your hand are power and might, so that none is able to withstand you. (2 Chron. 20:6)
I am the LORD, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me? (Jer. 32:27 NIV)

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I’ve heard many stories of believers being ushered into heaven with the singing of loved ones gathered around their death-bed. That’s how I’d want to go too, if I had a choice. But singing isn’t only for death, it’s also for life. When we make a habit of singing every day, whether we’re up to our necks in mud or not, God is praised and we’ll be encouraged.

Christians recognize the value of singing. God’s Word teaches us not only to praise him with our songs, but also to encourage one another with singing (Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16). There’s just something God has put into music that it can have such a powerful positive effect on our state of mind.
This is even recognized in the world. William McRaven was the commander of US Special Force Command when he gave an oft-quoted speech at a university graduation in Texas in 2014. He spoke of his experiences in becoming a US Navy SEAL. This special forces selection and training is regarded as being the toughest in the world. Many don’t make it through and those who do are not only tough physically, but mentally.
McRaven spoke about his Hell Week at Basic Underwater Demolition SEAL (BUD/S) training:
The ninth week of SEAL training is referred to as Hell Week. It is six days of no sleep, constant physical and mental harassment and one special day at the Mud Flats. The Mud Flats are an area between San Diego and Tijuana where the water runs off and creates the Tijuana sloughs—a swampy patch of terrain where the mud will engulf you.
It is on Wednesday of Hell Week that you paddle down to the mud flats and spend the next 15 hours trying to survive the freezing-cold mud, the howling wind and the incessant pressure from the instructors to quit.
As the sun began to set that Wednesday evening, my training class, having committed some “egregious infraction of the rules” was ordered into the mud. The mud consumed each man till there was nothing visible but our heads. The instructors told us we could leave the mud if only five men would quit—just five men and we could get out of the oppressive cold.
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