The most puzzling thing about humanity is our inability to repent without God’s intervention. But the most wonderful thing is that God does intervene. He opens blind eyes. He softens hard hearts. He gives faith where there was none. And He assures us of this miracle when we can sincerely confess the truths of Scripture, repent of our sins, trust in Christ alone, and commit ourselves to His church.

A little while ago I wrote about one of the strangest realities of human life: we cannot admit our sin and turn to God on our own. We may be able to acknowledge mistakes in everyday life, such as forgetting an appointment, speaking harshly, or making a poor decision. But when it comes to confessing that we have sinned against a holy God, our hearts resist. The Bible teaches that this is not just stubbornness. It is a spiritual blindness so deep that only God Himself can break it. Repentance, which means turning away from sin and turning to Christ in faith, is not something we can produce by our own effort. It is a miracle of God’s grace.

Someone unfamiliar with Christianity might ask, “How would I know if God has done this miracle in me?” The answer is not found in passing feelings or vague impressions. It is not found in repeating a formula, praying what is sometimes called the “sinner’s prayer,” or inviting Jesus into your heart as if salvation were triggered by a certain phrase. Why not? Because salvation is not about reciting words. It is about God giving you a new heart. The Bible never promises salvation to those who simply say a prayer. Instead, it promises salvation to those who repent and believe in Christ. Words can be empty, but true faith cannot. Real repentance and faith show that God has already worked within you.

True faith is also not a private “me and Jesus” arrangement. Faith is lived out in the community of believers, the church. God does not call us to walk alone. He calls us to join with others who confess Christ, worship together, encourage one another, and submit to the care and guidance of pastors and elders. Christianity is not a solo journey. It is a family of faith.

So how do we recognize this miracle? One way is through the vows that many Reformed churches ask new members to take. These vows are not empty promises or human achievements. They are a way of expressing that God has opened your eyes, changed your heart, and given you faith in Christ. They are simple, yet profound:

1. Do you believe the Bible is God’s Word, and that its teaching about salvation is the only true way of salvation?
2. Do you admit you are a sinner, hate your sin, and trust not in yourself but in Jesus Christ alone for salvation?
3. Do you acknowledge Jesus Christ as your Lord and promise, relying on God’s grace, to serve Him, forsake the world, and live a godly life?
4. Do you agree to submit to the leadership of the church, even if you need correction in doctrine or life?

If you can sincerely answer “yes” to these questions, that is evidence that God has worked a miracle in you. No one can truly admit their sin, trust in Christ alone, and commit to living under His lordship unless God has first opened their heart. These vows are not about perfection. They are about honesty and faith. They show that you are no longer relying on yourself but on Christ.

Alongside these vows, Christians confess who God is through ancient statements of faith called creeds. The Nicene Creed and the Athanasian Creed describe the God Christians worship: one God in three persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Perfect understanding of these truths is not required. No one has that. What matters is that you sincerely confess them and join yourself to a church that teaches them faithfully. A church rooted in the heritage of the Reformation, subscribing to these creeds and ideally holding to the Westminster Standards or the Three Forms of Unity, will help you grow in faith and remain grounded in the truth.

The most puzzling thing about humanity is our inability to repent without God’s intervention. But the most wonderful thing is that God does intervene. He opens blind eyes. He softens hard hearts. He gives faith where there was none. And He assures us of this miracle when we can sincerely confess the truths of Scripture, repent of our sins, trust in Christ alone, and commit ourselves to His church.

This is not about boasting in ourselves. It is about rejoicing in God’s mercy. If you find yourself able to say “yes” to these vows, then take heart. Be encouraged. God has given you repentance and faith in Christ. That is the greatest miracle of all.

Chuck Noren is an elder at Christ Orthodox Presbyterian Church in Marietta, GA.