“‘For I will take you out of the nations; I WILL gather you from all the countries and bring you back into your own land. I WILL sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I WILL cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols. I WILL give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you...I WILL save you from all your uncleanness...THEN you will remember your evil ways and wicked deeds, and you will loathe yourselves for your sins and detestable practices..." (Ezekiel 36:24-31)
Note that it is AFTER God changes their hearts and puts His Spirit within them that they will "loathe yourselves for your sins". In other words, true repentance occurs AFTER God saves, not AFTER repentance.
...I want you to know that I am NOT doing this for your sake, declares the Sovereign LORD. Be ashamed and disgraced for your conduct, people of Israel!.. I the LORD have spoken, and I WILL DO IT." (Ezekiel 36:32)
Religious Jews think they are saved by following the Law of Moses, and repenting and offering acceptable sacrifices for disobedience. I was brought up in a church teaching essentially the same thing. That I would be saved only if I repented of my sin, accepted Jesus, and was baptized.
I have since learned from Scripture that my salvation will not come because of repenting of sin or my personal faith in Christ Jesus, it will come freely to me as the result of the GRACE of God, and the faith of Christ Jesus. Redemption is a gift to humanity that flows from the death, entombment, and resurrection of Christ Jesus.
"...the righteousness of God is through the faith of Jesus Christ to all, and upon all those believing, for there is no difference, for all did sin, and are come short of the glory of God, being declared righteous freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus." (Romans 3:22-24)
Such knowledge has liberated me from religious bondage. I now realize that I am righteous in Jesus Christ whose faith saved me!
"...the righteousness of God is through the faith of Jesus Christ to all, and upon all those believing, for there is no difference, for all did sin, and are come short of the glory of God, being declared righteous freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus." (Romans 3:22-24)
Such knowledge has liberated me from religious bondage. I now realize that I am righteous in Jesus Christ whose faith saved me!
"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not be encumbered once more by a yoke of slavery." (Galatians 5:1)
"If you continue in MY WORD, you are truly My followers. THEN you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." (John 8:32)