Conversion is when we repent and turn to God by faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. Repentance is turning from unbelief to faith in God through Christ. That is "repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ" (Acts 20:21).
Left to ourselves, we have no desire to turn from the old life of sin and unbelief. We have pleasure in our sin and depravity. We see no reason to trust in Christ. Only until the Holy Spirit convicts and convinces us of our need for Christ are we awakened to our lost condition. The Spirit of grace awakens us to our condemnation in sin (John 16:8-11).
Awakened to our true condition before God, we are enabled to truly repent and trust Christ. The Spirit of grace who awakens us, also enables us to turn from the old life to become a new creation in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). God grants us repentance (2 Timothy 2:25). The Holy Spirit enables us to have faith in Christ (Galatians 5:5). By the grace of God, we repent and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.
Repentance is a change of mind about sin and Christ. When we repent, our hearts are transformed and our minds are renewed by the Spirit of God. "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God" (Romans 12:2).
